The mid-summer heat has dulled Koroit's famous green halo, but for Marion Whalan, the little village is a haven.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Whalan is in the town competing in the Koroit Sheepdog Trials, having travelled from Bungendore in south-east New South Wales.
"It is way greener here and no smoke," Ms Whalan said when asked her impressions of Koroit as a first-time visitor.
"It's a good road trip for us with four trials in Victoria, Cressy, Deans Marsh, now Koroit ad next week Port Fairy.
"The Koroit trial has a really good name and I can see why, it is very well organised and everyone is very friendly and encouraging."
The Koroit Sheepdog Trials began at Victoria Park on Tuesday and will continue on until Sunday.
A feature of this year's trial will be the staging of the Australian Sheepdog Championship.
This national title has helped attract over 60 sheepdog workers and 300 dogs.
The final to decide this title will be held on Sunday.
On the social side, a barbecue will be held on the Victoria Park oval on Saturday night.
Koroit Sheepdog Trials founder Barry Paton said he was thrilled with the way the event was progressing.
"It's been fantastic, we are very happy," Mr Paton said.
"It is a very high standard competition and those that have come for the trial are great people, which makes it even better."
The action will shift to the Gardens Oval in Port Fairy on Monday for the beginning of the Commonwealth Championship Sheepdog Trials. This event will run until Sunday, February 9.
The headline act of the trials will be the Australian Dog of the Year, which draws the best dogs and workers from each state.
The final for this will be on the last day of the trial. The trial will also include improver and novice sections, as well as a Trans Tasman Trial.
Trial organiser Bill Paton said having the Australia Dog of the Year competition added lustre to the event.
"This is our sixth year running the dog of the year and it's fantastic, they are the dog of the year in each of their states so they are the best of the best," Mr Paton said.
"Every year we have held this competition all the champion dogs from each state have made the journey to Port Fairy."
The commonwealth trials have been operating for over 40 years and Mr Paton said this year was a record field, including 255 in the open section, 118 in the novice and 46 in the Trans Tasman.
A volunteer catering team will provide lunch, morning and afternoon tea on each day of the trial, with proceeds going to Moyne Health Services.
