Country Agricultural Shows
Page: 14729
Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [5.26 p.m.]: Members of The Nationals are always pleased to highlight in this House the agricultural shows that take place in our electorates. Last week the value of country shows was brought home to me when I had the pleasure of attending the 2005 Sydney Royal Agricultural Society's show on Friday and Saturday. On the previous Thursday in Parliament House I had the privilege to attend a function to honour the entrants in the Land's 2005 Sydney Royal Agricultural Society's Showgirl Competition and the Young Achiever Award presentation. There were 16 entrants from seven zones, and they were a credit to their families and the areas they represented. I congratulate Miranda Saunders of Lismore and Shannon Johnston of Alstonville on acquitting themselves very well in representing the North Coast zone. I was very proud of them.
Last Friday it was my pleasure to attend the Young Auctioneer's Competition—an event that was founded when I was the president of the Auctioneer's Association, which is now known as the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Ltd. Ten entrants represented zones throughout the State. The quality of representation was impressive, serving to convince everyone present that the future of the auctioneering industry is in good hands. The national competition—the auctioneering equivalent of the State of Origin—was won by the Queensland team. Will York of Theodore in Queensland was awarded the title of Australian Auctioneer of the Year. He will represent Australia at the Calgary Stampede.
Last Saturday I had the honour to attend the 2005 awards presentation of the Northern District Exhibit. An abundance of fresh agricultural produce has been under the scrutiny of the judges for the past two weeks. Months of dedication culminated in the announcement of district winners. I am proud to inform the House that the Northern District's iconic Celtic country display won the prestigious HCM Memorial Shield for the first time since 1940. The Northern District Exhibit, which was under the management of Arthur Johns, represented the area from Nambucca Heads, west to Guyra, to Inverell and to Brewarrina, and north to the Queensland border. Arthur Johns was helped by many people from the Northern District, who can be very proud of their produce, including Ray Reid, Alan Smith, Jim Landers, Cameron Griffiths, Eric Griffiths and Ian McGow. Over the past 12 months, many growers supported by growing produce for the exhibit. Jennie Burrows, Todd Bellman, Carolyn Bellman, Marie Johns, Graham Reid, Cameron Reid, Ben Goldthorpe, Wade Goldthorpe, Phyliss Barratt and Phillip Little also contributed.
Country areas come together and form the basis for the Royal Agricultural Society [RAS] show held each year in Sydney. That coming together reinforces the need for country towns to hold shows. The showgirl competition began some months ago at the local shows with 500 competitors, and this year there were 16 final entrants. District exhibits, dairy cattle competitions, arts and crafts entries, and cooking competitions are still held, as are cutting-horse and all-horse events. I was pleased that the R. M. Williams organisation is continuing to be involved and I congratulate Hamish Turner and Terry Goodyear and their team on their work on the Australia versus Canada rodeo, which is held on 10 nights during the show. Canada has flown its best rodeo competitors from Calgary to take part in that event. The rodeo is a real draw card. I encourage people to visit the show to see the New South Wales country and regional displays. In conclusion, I congratulate everyone who has been involved with the 2005 RAS show.
Ms ALISON MEGARRITY (Menai—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.31 p.m.]: I thank the honourable member for Lismore for advising the House about the events associated with this year's Royal Agricultural Society show. All agricultural shows, whether regional or the large show currently being held in Sydney, are important traditions in our society. I was not surprised to hear about the honourable member's auctioneering heritage—I have heard him in action and he is indeed a fine auctioneer. I could not help but be struck by the irony of the rain currently falling on the roof of this Chamber and upon the show site. New South Wales is in drought and needs rain—and here it comes. Unfortunately, perhaps it is dampening the enthusiasm and enjoyment of people attending the agricultural show. The honourable member for Lismore told us about people from his electorate who contributed to this year's show. I hope they enjoy success during the next week. I hope that many people enjoy their produce and all the other sights and sounds country regions have to offer.