Well, it’s over for another year. Although it is hectic and full-on for 14 days I’m always sad it’s over. It is my favourite time of year. Some of the highlights for me this year:
Enjoying award-winning Tathra oysters with Frank Theodore at the DeCosti & Tyrrells Wine Bar at the Easter Show
The Australian Women’s Weekly Theatre Kitchen
Again we cooked up a storm here with dems every half hour from 11am until the Celebrity Showcase finale at 5pm. That’s 18 dems a day with over 2,700 tastings for those sitting down to watch. The organisation for this is immense and thanks to Julie Ballard, ably assisted by Annalisa Perry and on the RAS side, Martine Slater. Apart from the fun, frivolity and hard work was a backstage visit from non other than Nicole Kidman, who was privately visiting the Show with her husband Keith Urban, sister Antonia and kids. Julie enticed her in to talk about the wonders of Australian Extra Virgin Olive oil! I spied her later on, deep in discussion with a sheep exhibitor and buying a rug. We were asked not to post on the social media that night as it was a private visit. We respected that but hit facebook the next day. Here are some of the happy snaps.
Nicole Kidman came by to say hello
The Woodchop
This is another favourite for me at the Show. My parents courted at the Show and we always went as a family with the Woodchop and the District Exhibits being highlights – and only two showbags and a ride on the ferris wheel! I think woodchopping is such an honest, straight-forward sport. Whomever cuts through the log or standing tree is the winner! But sometimes it is very close. In one World Championship, the gap between second and third place was 0.1 of a second! The competitors are a lovely bunch and this year it was great to have lots of women as well as the USA back, along with the Kiwis to compete. It is always a thrill for me to present the winners with their ribbons – something I have called the “Sash and Pash” ever since I was elected to the Royal Agricultural Society Council nearly 20 years ago. Now everyone does it! And I love introducing it to new people and was delighted that the Women’s Weekly’s Fran Abdalloui now loves it as much as me!
The Man From Snowy River
WOW. The man came back! This dramatic new production of the beloved Banjo Patterson poem was an unforgettable highlight of the 2016 evening main arena entertainment. Stockmen, along with 100 animals, brought the climactic chase and recapture of the colt from Old Regret to life in an electrifying performance where the pounding of galloping hooves excited people of all ages. Every great story ends with a kiss, and for the finale we heard the stirring piano chords of Jessica’s Theme echo around the arena. I’m thrilled to be on the Entertainment Committee and I was delighted to meet the cast and crew prior to the Show starting and for a photo at the end. There were no actors, they were all stockmen/women and the brumbies were caught wild especially for the Show. This is outstanding family entertainment and only a part of what is on offer all around the Showground for nothing once you have entered: the food farm, the horse experience, the beef experience, the farmyard nursery, the roaming entertainment, livestock displays and ring events. That’s why it annoys me when people complain about the cost which was $38.50 for adults ($26.50 after 5pm) and $23.50 for kids ($16 after 5pm). You don’t have to buy 10 showbags or lots of junk food. Live theatre costs a lot, lot more for a shorter time – and even the zoo costs more. It is such a wonderful thing to do with your family!
