NINGANA retirement village residents have taken home a swag of awards from the Dalby Show last weekend.

The village had several entrants competing in a range of categories from painting, sewing, and knitting amongst others.

Franz De Vries competed in the charcoal artwork section of the show and managed to claim first prize.

"I wasn't planning to enter, but I did a charcoal work about 50 years ago and entered it this year,” Mr De Vries said.

"No I didn't expect to win, it all comes down to who is looking at your work and whether they like the idea or not as to whether you win.”

The 87-year-old from Holland said he hasn't done as much artwork as he would have liked throughout his time, but since moving into Ningana he has more time to pursue it.

"I haven't had the chance to do artwork very often because I'm always so busy.

"It's only since I've been hear the last couple of years I've thought about doing more of it.

"I will try to enter again next year because I have picture in my head that I'd like to do; but it takes time to develop seeing as I'm not really an artist as such.”

Maureen Pearce also did very well at the show, being crowned champion in the knitting category for men's jumpers.

She also collected the most points from the people who did knitting and handicraft, after entering many items in multiple categories.

"I've been knitting since I was four, my mother told me I started when I was that young,” Mrs Pearce said.

"I then began starting to enter competitions when I was 14.

"I just love seeing the finished product and seeing people wearing what I make.

"I knitted for all of the babies when they came along and the grandchildren.”

Mrs Pearce doesn't plan on slowing anytime soon.

"As long as I can see I'll keep on knitting.”