The 2016 Ganmain Show once more attracted visitor numbers on par with previous years despite being wet underfoot and with rain threatening at any minute.
But the rain held off, and Show President, Stephen Hatty, said he and the show committee were very pleased with the attendance and the support the annual show receives from the community.
“We put on a great day for all ages and interests,” Mr Hatty said.
“And it is gratifying to get the support we do.
“There are a lot of entries in the pavilion who have been here before, and sheep and ring entries are on par with recent years.”
A feature of the show was the inaugural presentation of the Laura Berben Memorial Supreme Champion Hack Hunter.
The late Ms Berben had a long association with the ring at the Ganmain Show, and was a member of the show committee involved with selecting judges and organising the ring entries.
Aged 37, Ms Berben passed away in February, and the suggestion was made by Chief Steward horse events, Wendy Dennis to have a trophy presented in memory of her contribution to the Ganmain Show.
The late Ms Berben’s parents Tim and Linda agreed it would be fitting tribute to their daughters involvement with horses and the Ganmain Show and have provided sponsorship for the perpetual trophy.
Mr Berben said there had been terrific sponsorship and support from friends and the community to honour their daughter.
“Laura started riding when she was three years old,” he said.
“And even though she was very sick from breast cancer, Laura was working her horses to ride in this years Canberra Show, but unfortunately could only watch them being ridden from the sideline.”
Entries in the pavilion saw Most Successful Exhibitor in Cookery, open section awarded to Tracey Bryant, Katunga, Victoria, Most Successful Exhibitor, Jams, Pickles and Chutneys was awarded to Sylvia Murrell, Ganmain and Most Successful Exhibitor with farm produce awarded to Geoff and Cathy Brill, Ganmain.
Ms Laura Morrissey, from Coolamon was presented with the sash for 2016 Ganmain Showgirl.
Ms Morrissey has been living in Coolamon for the past three years, establishing a day care centre for children and entered the Ganmain Showgirl quest to promote the region on the wider stage.
“I am thrilled to have the chance to represent the Ganmain community ,” she said.
“I have a goal as showgirl to highlight the many issues within the rural community and use the platform to find solutions to those issues.”
Ms Morrissey said she is passionate about sustainable agriculture and youth employment and will focus on these during her term as 2016 Ganmain Showgirl.
Life Membership of the Ganmain Show Society was confirmed upon Wes Kember by Wal Blezzard representing the Australian Societies Council of NSW.
“The Ganmain Show Society supports the local community, we have a vibrant committee and I am proud to have this life membership,” Mr Kember said.
He is the seventh member of his family to be recognised in this way.
His parents Will and Heather have also been honoured as were his grandfather Fred Jnr and great-grandfather Fred snr.
Grand children of Fred snr, Bruce Kember (Ganmain) and Anne Taylor (The Rock) have also been awarded life memberships of their respective show societies.