SYDNEY Royal Easter Show is an annual highlight for Royal Agricultural Society councillor and south coast dairy farmer Geoff Cochrane, whose connection to the event began decades ago.
Mr Cochrane has been attending Sydney Royal for about 60 years, first tagging along with his father Reg to watch the dairy judging as a young boy.
His grandfather had briefly exhibited at Sydney, and Mr Cochrane's goal was to return as an exhibitor, an achievement he accomplished in the early 1980s.
"I can remember being so excited, having my own cows at the show," he said.
"My father got to see a lot of that and many of the cows I did show with were ones he'd laid the foundation for, we've had a lot of our cow families for more than 100 years."
Mr Cochrane exhibited for many years, before being elected to the council about 12 years ago.
"Now I do a lot of stewarding in the cattle section, both beef and dairy," he said.
"I'm usually there for the whole duration, starting a few days before the show with the beef cattle inspections and weighing and scanning all the steers."
He's continued as an exhibitor, but now in the photography section, with his landscape shots, mainly of Australia's desert country.
His three sons, Tim, Dan and Tom, have continued the tradition.
"A few years ago each of them was an exhibitor in their own right in the dairy cattle. It's pleasing to see the younger generation continuing the showing."
