I WOULD like to give a heartfelt thanks to the whole community of Margaret River and surrounds for its support at this year’s Agricultural Show.
This year everyone has gone above and beyond with assistance, entries and attendance. I can honestly say it has been my most enjoyable show in the 15 years I have been involved.
To all of our youth that came along – thank you. If you were at this year’s show, your parents can be so very proud of your mature behaviour it was an absolute pleasure to wander down sideshow alley with no drunken antics on the grounds. This is also the sentiments of the Sideshow operators, and we hope that this new attitude will entice them to bring even more equipment next year. Thanks also to local school teachers and police for the time they put into making our event such a success. Many people on stalls and sideshow operators were also pleasantly surprised at the manners of children using please and thank you, well done to kids and their parents for raising such polite children.
Shed entries were up and for those Mums gluing and pasting photos and art, juggling Lego and making vegetable animals hold together, well done. As a mother who has done it for years I know it is a big ask and very stressful but so worth it when your child rushes in on Friday night around their entries to see if they have won a prize. One small trick I learnt over the years is to stash artwork and craft throughout the year, and if you use double sided tape you can reuse the cardboard next year.
We have a very small committee that work hard on the show as unpaid volunteers, and closer to the show this year it looked like we were going to struggle to get the showgrounds ready, but I was overwhelmed by the local support we have had this last week to make it all happen. From the high school cadets and student councillors, Scouts, to Dylan, Norma, Catherine along with all the Shire workers at Gloucester Park and everyone who turned up on the days leading in and after, thank you. It was an awesome community effort by all involved to celebrate agriculture and the region we live in.
Our committee works hard all year and already we are planning next year’s show. We welcome anyone who would like to come onboard and help with new ideas.
Kylie Kennaugh
2014 President, Retravision Margaret River & Districts Agricultural Society.