The 2026 Yarramalong Valley Scarecrow Competition winners are here!
What a fantastic year for scarecrows in the Valley! Thirty-seven scarecrows appeared across Yarramalong Valley this year, bringing plenty of creativity, humour and imagination to roadsides, paddocks and front gates throughout the community.
Our new Scarecrow Trail proved a huge success, helping people get out and explore the Valley and discover the entries for themselves. More than 3,000 people visited the competition website over the two weeks, and over 900 votes were cast for the People’s Choice Award.
A huge thank you to everyone who built a scarecrow, followed the trail, cast a vote or simply came along to enjoy the fun. It was wonderful to see so many people getting involved and helping make this year’s competition such a success.
And now, we’re delighted to announce the 2026 winners in each category:
People’s Choice Winner – Boat Snack
“Hey Hey (or is it Hay Hay) from Moana!”
Inspired by a family favourite, Boat Snack brought Moana’s unforgettable rooster to the Yarramalong Valley – recreated in true scarecrow style with plenty of hay, a homemade boat and that unmistakable expression!
Created with the help of some very enthusiastic young Moana fans, Boat Snack clearly won over the community too, taking out the 2026 People’s Choice Award.
Topical Winner – The Last Straw Scout Camp
“Just another perfectly normal day at Last Straw Scout Camp!”
From a Joey dangling upside-down on the zip line to a tent somehow ending up in a tree, The Last Straw Scout Campcaptured all the chaos of a Scout camp where absolutely everything seems to be going according to plan… sort of.
With Scouts scattered across the campsite, marshmallows roasting, ropes everywhere and the ever-patient Big Akela prepared for whatever happens next, this wonderfully detailed scene rewarded anyone who stopped for a closer look.
Congratulations to The Last Straw Scout Camp, winner of the 2026 Topical Scarecrow Award.
Traditional Winner – Rapunzel
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hay…”
A clever country twist on a classic fairytale, Rapunzel reimagined her famous flowing locks in true scarecrow style – with an impressive cascade of hay reaching all the way from her tower to the ground.
With its simple, traditional materials and wonderfully playful take on a familiar story, Rapunzel was a fitting winner of the 2026 Traditional Scarecrow Award.
Humorous Winner – Ma & Pa Kettlecrow’s Country Retreat
“Where Ma does the work, Pa does the watching, and the crows take their chances!”
Meet Yarramalong’s newest residents, Ma & Pa Kettlecrow, a scarecrow tribute to the much-loved Ma and Pa Kettle. Ma has the broom out, the kettle on and everything under control. Pa, meanwhile, was supposed to be scaring the crows – but then he found the rocking chair.
Complete with their own country retreat and plenty of Valley charm, Ma & Pa proved that sometimes the best approach to country living is to let someone else do the work.
Congratulations to Ma & Pa Kettlecrow’s Country Retreat, winner of the 2026 Humorous Scarecrow Award.
Each of this year’s winning scarecrows brought something wonderfully different to the Valley, from the family fun and clever “Hay Hay” humour of Boat Snack, to the wonderfully chaotic scene at The Last Straw Scout Camp, the fairytale charm of Rapunzel, and the laid-back country humour of Ma & Pa Kettlecrow’s Country Retreat.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all of our winners! The creativity, imagination and effort that went into this year’s entries once again brought plenty of colour, laughter and character to the Yarramalong Valley.
A huge thank you to everyone who entered, followed the new Scarecrow Trail, visited the displays and cast a vote, and to our generous sponsors for helping make the competition possible. With 37 scarecrows appearing across the Valley and more than 900 People’s Choice votes cast, it was fantastic to see so many people getting involved.
We can’t wait to see what the Valley dreams up next year!