Without doubt, the most frequently asked question I have had to answer in the last week is "So how was the show?" For such a simple question I have had a fair bit of difficulty answering.
Its not just that some questioners want to hear about the entertainment side of the show - the show bags, the night show, the novelties that make the show appeal to a huge cross section of the community. For others it is how were the livestock on display. What breeds and studs did well? Did local studs exhibit and was their hard work rewarded?
And other people are interested in the social side of things, the functions, the socialising in the members, who was there and who wasn't.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show, one of the oldest and largest agricultural shows in Australia is many different things to people. In my case the show is actually huge part of my life.
My earliest show experience was as a small child, visiting the show with my dad and brothers.
I don't remember much besides huge crowds and watching the night show.
At school, developing my passion for the beef industry I prepared steers which we exhibited at Sydney. My involvement with the show was increased when I was awarded with an RAS of NSW Rural Achievers Award. This gave me the opportunity to become involved in subsequent shows as a steward in the beef & dairy judging rings.
As one of the NSW DPI carcass judges, I was invited the judge the carcass competition for the show for 13 years. My role as a carcass judge came to an end when I was appointed as a Councillor of the RAS, and I had to take on roles in organising the competitions rather than judging them.
The show for me is a huge commitment in time and involves a huge amount of work in the lead up to the two weeks of showtime, and even bigger days when the show is on. So the first thing I think of when I'm asked how was the show, is that it was big and that I love it!
Now that the show is over for another year, I have been thinking about what it is that I love. Without doubt I love being part of the judging. I get a chance to be up close to some of the most outstanding animals bred and prepared by passionate breeders from across Australia.
I love listening to the judges, to hear their comments and experiences which reflect on how they select animals to win broad ribbons from Sydney.
So maybe the answer I should give when asked, "how was the show" could be, that it was amazing. I saw the Red Angus breed claim a third consecutive Hordern trophy.
I also saw an outstanding Jersey cow from Tamworth claim the Supreme Dairy Cow award for a third year running. Now that says a lot about the breeder and their focus on production and performance, and it was a win people will be talking about for a long time.
Lots happened on the cattle lawns throughout two weeks of judging. However my show commitment isn't just to the cattle programs.
One of the most rewarding of my roles is to be involved with the newly established Youth Affairs committee. Youth Affairs supports activities such as the highly respected Rural Achievers Award & Showgirl competition.
It also overseas the activities of the RAS Youth Group, supports the Young Farmers Challenge and is responsible for co-ordinating the Youth in Agriculture Day on the last Saturday of the Show.
Youth in Agriculture Day is one of my favourite days of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. This day lets us focus on the opportunities for youth to be involved in the show, undertaking official roles such as stewarding, judging, through to major roles including the main ring broadcasting & announcing.
We are supported by a group of passionate people from all sectors of agriculture who spend their day interacting with the public and with competitors, highlighting their commitment to their agricultural industries and demonstrating agriculture is a vibrant and exciting career direction.
This year with the support of the President and Senior Leaders of the Royal Agricultural Society we introduced a new activity, where several of the key members of the RAS Youth Group spent their day shadowing those leaders in their role during the show.
I reckon these activities are some of the most important of all my show commitments. I find the passion and enthusiasm of the ambassadors, the Youth Group and of students showing and competing infectious.
I'm constantly reminded of my early steps into a fulfilling career in agriculture started through junior judging and bringing steers to compete at Sydney.
Without doubt its exciting and encouraging to see people sharing a passion for agriculture and for supporting each other in developing their careers. Its very hard not to be rejuvenated and enthused about the opportunities to share ideas and knowledge after a day with the team from Youth in Agriculture.
This year I spent a lot of time as a steward on the cattle lawns and in the Alpaca rings.
I don't know much about Alpacas or how the judging process works, so I was keen to learn. Watching and listening to the RAS /ASC State Junior Judging finals for Alpacas, I learnt more from the 9 finalists than I had in two days watching the judging.
There are some amazing young people involved in their agricultural industries who are knowledgable, articulate and passionate. It's exciting to think of these people taking that enthusiasm and knowledge to build a stronger industry into coming years.
"So how was the show?" I reckon I will tell the next person who asked me that, that it was amazing. There are some fantastic, passionate people who bring the products of their agricultural businesses and put them on display to show the nation just what we do in agriculture. There are amazing young people developing careers and a network of ideas and goals which will make Australian agriculture an even more exciting career choice. I'll tell people who ask me, I love the show, and that I'm already looking forward to next year!
