Tapping into show business

Choosing a president who has never worked as a professional farmer probably reflects the diversity of the Berwick and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
This year’s president is Andrew Dedlef and he has led the society administration up to what promises to be a bumper 2006 Berwick Show, weather permitting.
He is selfemployed which enables him to manage his time to allow a generous effort toward one of the district’s most treasured icons, the annual twoday Berwick Show.
He cut his teeth in show business by giving up his Sundays to help run the highly successful Akoonah Park Sunday Market, where he was Marty Alberni’s apprentice.
Andrew was born at Bentleigh to Betty and Ray Dedlef 44 years ago.
His father was chief auditor of the ANZ and was to spend his life working for the bank.
Andrew said his father left work to become a ‘professional golfer’.
“At least we call him a professional golfer he spends most of his time on the golf course.”
His parents now live at Diamond Creek.
Andrew began his schooling at Bentleigh State School. In grade six, he became school captain having shown leadership quality from the start.
He always liked working with his hands and still does so in his work today.
“Dad bought me a hand saw and hammer when I was very young and I loved it; I was into it.
“We moved to Mt Waverley and I went to the Syndal Technical School which, unfortunately, is no longer there.
“They talk about the lack of tradespeople these days after they closed down the technical school system.
“We need to seriously look at what has been done with technical schools.”
Andrew said governments had forgotten that some people like to work with their hands.
“Now they don’t have a chance.
“Sitting at an office desk wasn’t something I wanted to do.
“Now we are in a situation where we have to bring tradesmen in from overseas.”
Andrew left school and began work as a wood machinist. He learnt saw doctoring and worked in the industry for seven years, before retraining as a plumber and gas fitter. He is now a mechanical services plumber.
Andrew has worked in that industry for 16 years, and for the past five has worked in his own building maintenance business.
“We can do anything that is needed on a building.
“Having my own business, however, means that I can get off to do things for the show.”
Andrew has kept himself fit and spent a lot of time doing karate.
He and Michelle have been married for 15 years. He recalls their meeting with a smile.
“We met at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Cranbourne. A guy I grew up with and his girlfriend knew Michelle and we were introduced.”
They have two children: Holli, who goes to the Hallam Valley Primary School, and Jema who is at Kambrya Secondary College, Berwick.
Andrew says Michelle has been very supportive and tolerant during his term as show president.
Andrew has been a member of the show committee for eight years. “I’m a newcomer – some have been there for 50 years.
“I was helping Marty at the market when Gordon Fyfe and Maurie Bashford nominated me on to the committee.”
That all started one day when Andrew was at the Akoonah Park Market.
“Michelle had a bonsai tree stall at the market and a couple of guys were always needed to help Marty pack up.
“One day he was trying to get a couple of volunteers and I could hear him over the loudspeaker all morning.
“In the end I kind of got sick of his voice and went over to help him ‘short term’.
“I’ve been there ever since.
“Marty passed on and I took his place on the Akoonah Park Committee of Management.”
Andrew recalled those days with a kind of reverence.
“They all sit in the same seats every meeting.
“I wasn’t aware of this, but on my first night I walked in and sat down.
“I happened to sit in Marty’s chair.
“For some reason I gravitated toward his chair.
“Now I run the market with Ross Bradbury, who is also the show society treasurer.”
Andrew said the Akoonah Park Market had been amazingly successful.
“We were able to put $50,000 toward the Pioneers Park in Berwick Village and we put $900,000 toward the new Akoonah Park pavilion that cost $1.1 million.
“The council supplemented our contribution.
“The market was difficult at the start, but Marty built it into a profitable enterprise.”
His work at the market means that he is away from home most Sundays but he says it was a fantastic achievement for the committee to build the pavilion at the show ground.
“That was a big win for the council and for the community. Last week they held a school teachers’ conference in the building.”
Andrew can look at a full life.
“My family, the show and my business keep me fully occupied.
“Michelle and I also have a small property to look after and we have a couple of Shetland ponies.
“I’m not a farmer, except that we had a couple of steers on our block at Narre Warren.”
His wish now is for good weather on the show days and lots of people.