For more than 100 years the Wallamba and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show, more commonly known as the Nabiac show, has been showcasing the very best the district’s farming community has to offer.
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Everything from the lightest of sponges and delicate embroidered articles to the largest pumpkin in the patch and the bull with the straightest back or best stance is on display for everyone to admire.
The Nabiac show is a place of education and entertainment with demonstrations, exhibitions and promotion of anything and everything rural.
But, that could all come to a screaming halt if ‘our’ local show can’t attract more volunteers.
And, as Wallamba show society secretary/treasurer Lyn Reid points out, it is a local show for all residents living in and along the seaboard and further inland.
At 71-years Lyn is ready to put aside some of her show duties for a more relaxing life on her Firefly property.
She said paperwork took up a lot of her time, and she edited the local publication Across the Fence.
“I do not do shorthand and I am not a typist.”
When the treasurer resigned 10 years ago Lyn volunteered to temporarily take on those additional duties until a replacement was found.
The society is still looking for that elusive treasurer.
“It is just getting harder and harder to attract volunteers,” Lyn said.
Talk about closing the show was debated following the centenary, but the small band of eight regular volunteers decided to fight on.
She believed the difficulty in attracting volunteers was a combination of busy lifestyles and Nabiac’s changing demographics.
“A lot of the old families have gone, and properties have been split up following the deregulation of the dairy industry.
“We need to get new and younger blood on to the committee.”
Spiralling insurance costs and bureaucratic paperwork has spelt the demise of many small country shows around the State.
“But, locals want a show.
“It is something people look forward to.”
Lyn said the Nabiac event had a reputation for putting on a good show.
She said a drawcard was its size (small and compact) and decision to stick to its origins – agricultural show.
“Some young people in the town want sideshow alley, but we can’t afford it.”
The day-long show culminates with the traditional fireworks display and always has a popular entertainer.
She believed if the show closed the site would revert to a recreational ground.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
