Great Southern in districts coup

Just 0.2 points separated the winning District Display from the runner-up in this year's competition at the IGA Perth Royal Show.

The Great Southern Group took out the top honours, with The Good Earth, only just beating Coastal's Citrus display.

Judges awarded Great Southern a total of 633 points while Coastal finished with 632.8.

Councillor in Charge Margaret Bannister, who has been involved with the District Displays since 1967, said it was the closest contest ever.

"It made it very exciting," she said.

"Great Southern beat us by the size of a mandarin pip," said Coastal's Peta Korb.

"We know how the Dockers feel. It is disappointing to put in all that effort and to just miss out.

"This is the first year I have been involved, but I will be back next year."

"It's all friendly rivalry in this room," Great Southern volunteer Stan Crane said. "We're all one big happy family."

Ms Bannister said they were always looking for volunteers to create the displays.

"It is a great way to support your area and very interactive," she said. "Everyone has a talent they can contribute. I always enjoyed collecting items to showcase. Also anyone who enjoys design would find it rewarding."

Great Southern won best arrangement in the southern region, the best display of wood products/timber in the southern region, best display of pastures, fodders, hay and agricultural seeds, wool and wheat, and won trophies for best public appeal and best representation of a district.

Coastal had the best display of honey in the southern region, and the best display of eggs, fruit and floriculture, and won trophies for best educational value, best development of a theme and best overall visual display.

The South West Group, which has enjoyed more than a dozen wins in the past, had best display of preserves, commercial wines and dairy products.

The Kimberley/Pilbara region's Stairway to Heaven featured a fish tank with barramundi, pearls and a replica of the Bungle Bungles. It had the best display of gemstones.

Gascoyne's A Journey Of Diversity won the highest points for the northern region and had the best display of honey and aquatic products in the northern region and the best display of vegetables.

Goldfields district's Transport them won the best arrangement for the northern region and the best display of wood products/timber and natural resources and environment in the northern region and the best display of homecrafts and minerals.

Central's Water is Life, featuring sheep and white swans, had the best display of oats, barely and pulses.

Eastern's Powering Australia's Economy highlighted mining and farming and featured model trucks powered by ballbearings and magnets, put together by volunteer John Steel. It won best display of minerals.

The Mid West Group theme, Wealth of Our Shires, shone with the best display of WA native flowers - fresh and/or dried and the best display of aquatic products in the southern region.