Community
9 July, 2026
Finding a new home
THE decision to bring the long-running Alpacafest to Noorat drew a strong showing of support over the weekend, encapsulating for organisers what makes the south west such a remarkable place.
The Noorat Recreation Reserve was a hive of activity on Saturday when the Australia Alpaca Association brought Alpacafest to the village for the first time.
Event convenor Warren Attrill, who alongside his wife Naydia owns the Boorcan-based Attrill House Suri Alpacas, said he had been approached about leading the change due to the shifting demographics of the Australian Alpaca Association’s members in its Central Victorian region.
“It was held in Hamilton for a long time – it was actually a really big show over two days, but our membership base has sort of gone from the Hamilton area,” he said.
“The Australian Alpaca Association was looking for a convenor for the Hamilton show and we’re the closest, so I said I could do it but I wanted the show to be held in Noorat.”
Mr Attrill said the decision to bring the event to Noorat had proven a hit, with a strong flowthrough of attendees throughout the day.
“The public have been so supportive – it’s been fantastic,” he said.
“It’s awesome to see so many people from the public walking through, and to see some enthusiasm for alpacas.”
Mr Attrill said seeing so many people rally behind the concept showcased what made the south west such an incredible place to live.
“I think it just shows what our south west community is all about,” he said.
“You try something down here and people are willing to back you – they’ll show their support.
“I think it’s just the south west – I feel like it’s different out here, and that’s what makes it the best place to be.”
Mr Attrill also offered his appreciation to the Noorat Recreation Reserve Trustees for helping to support the event.
“The trustees of the recreation reserve have been so helpful,” he said.
“We couldn’t have done it without their support and help.
“They’ve been looking for more people to use the area so we stepped up and brought the show to Noorat.”
Australian Alpaca Association Central Victorian president Marie Yorston said the decision to bring Alpacafest to Noorat represented an exciting opportunity to introduce new people to the animals.
“People don’t know too much about alpacas – it’s one of those things where if you look into it you start to see them everywhere, but we only have a small group showing and breeding,” she said.
“We’re wanting to expand that so we feel, in bringing the show to smaller areas where there are farmers, that’s how we can increase the education and knowledge around alpacas.”
Ms Yorston said alpacas are unique animals well suited to showing.
“Showing is really easy because you don’t have to know a lot and you can learn as you go,” she said.
“Handling the animals is quite easy – children can do it, the elderly can do it, they’re quite gentle and not nearly as strong a horses or cows.
“They’re also more interactive than sheep, which makes it a bit more entertaining.
“Then there’s the fleece because, commercially, that’s what you want.
“Judges look for different things like the structure, the fibres, the fineness, the density and the length for its age.”
Anyone interested in learning more was invited to visit the Australian Alpaca Association website at https://alpaca.asn.au.
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