AgShows NSW, the peak body representing the 192 agricultural shows in New South Wales, has announced Bribbaree Show Society as the winner of the statewide Resilience Award.
Arguably one of the smallest towns to still hold an annual show, last year’s Bribbaree Show was a resounding success.
“A whole new executive committee started in early March 2020 right before COVID reached Australia, so despite many attempts the 2022 was the first show able to go ahead under the new committee,” President of the state’s peak ag show body Jill Chapman said.
“They took on new roles as they saw the local Show was getting stale but still had so much potential.”
“It was that potential that came to life at the show.”
Feedback from attendees, both visitors and exhibitors alike, was that the show was the one to go to if you wanted a real country Show.
“The children’s running races, farmers’ challenge and tug of war drew crowds like never seen before at Bribbaree,” Ms Chapman said.
“I would also like to acknowledge and applaud the other finalists for their efforts in showing resilience in the face of the pandemic and other natural disasters.”
Another show highlighted for its resilience was Kyogle PA & H Society, which also returned after a two year hiatus with the pandemic under the leadership of a new committee.
“The government’s Country Shows Support Package allowed the 2022 show to be bigger and better after a two-year gap,” Ms Chapman said.
An honourable mention went to Lauren Schottelius who joined the committee as secretary in 2019 but also stepped into a marketing and sponsorship role, and most recently provided valuable support to the treasurer.
“Lauren demonstrated a keen interest to both respect history but make some key changes to operations. She worked tirelessly building a new website while also finding an opportunity for rebranding which led to a new professional look for the Show Society.”
“The day after the Show Lauren was applying for the RAS of NSW Foundation Christmas Toy distribution, securing trade space at the local Christmas Party where the Show Society was able to give children wonderful presents and spread joy to the community,” Ms Chapman said.
The Adelong Pastoral and Agricultural Society Incorporated encompasses the true definition of resilience according to AgShows NSW.
“Not only did the 2019-2020 black summer bushfires leave a path of devastation through the Adelong community, it was followed almost immediately by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the 2020 and 2021 annual shows cancelled,” Ms Chapman said.
The Adelong Show was ‘rebooted’ last year with a new president at the helm who was determined to see the show go ahead or fear it never happening again.
“With a new committee at the helm, the executive undertook a community survey before the 2022 show to ascertain what the community valued and enjoyed about the annual show which was a terrific idea.”
Every idea was considered and led to the introduction of a world renowned butchering display, whip cracking demonstrations, magic comedy performances, a stockman’s challenge, a quick shear with $13,000 in prize money, working dogs, a kid’s corner, and Nev’s lolly scramble.
“Last year’s Show saw one of the highest gate takings ever recorded for Adelong.”
The winners were announced at a gala dinner last night, the 17th June 2023 at the NSW State Conference in Dubbo themed “Celebrate, Motivate, Educate” for agricultural shows. The winners received $2,000.
Over 50 nominations were received for the awards night.
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- Agricultural Shows are the annual event that brings local communities and regional towns together.
- Shows have been part of most towns in NSW since their inception.
- The oldest show in NSW is Maitland, established in 1842, closely followed by Penrith and Mudgee in 1843.
- Estimated volunteer attendance for 2023 is in excess of 16,000 over 192 Shows.
- Estimated visitor attendance for 2023 is over 1,200,000 over 192 Shows.