Local star power on display at Royal Easter Show

Narrabri and Wee Waa Show society star Francis Drysdale shone brightly at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year, he was part of a winning team in the hotly contested District Exhibit Competition.

Central District was announced the 2024 display winner, second overall for produce and headed home with an impressive 22 first-place ribbons for its outstanding produce.

“It was very exciting,” said Francis.

“There was tough competition; we thought the Western District was going to win.

“It was a lot of work, and it was a good design.”

It was a close finish but defending champions Northern District won the overall District Exhibit Competition by just seven points, with the Central District named overall runner-up.

Also flying the flag for the Narrabri region at the show was Michael Volke, who Francis said gave his time and talents to help Central District claim victory in the display category.

Months of preparation goes into the design, development, and build with an army of dedicated volunteers and growers working behind-the-scenes to create the agricultural masterpieces, which each tell a story and attracted huge crowds to the show’s popular produce pavilion.

“We had two working bees in Gloucester prior to the show, we cut out all the shapes, we, then we’ve got to get all the produce too,” said Francis.

“We’ve got eleven days prior to the show to assemble it – it’s a rat race.”

Farmers share their fibre, fruit, and vegetables so each exhibit can showcase quality produce from around the state.

“We have wool, apples, carrots, cabbages, pineapples, cotton,” said Francis.

“A highlight of our display was a helicopter with a spinning propellor, the model was covered in natural grains – rice, sago, and canola.”

The Central District designer was Kristine Moore and the Central District manager was Alison Kernahan.

“Francis is my rock down at the show, he’s fun-loving and always finds the good side of things,” said Alison.

Francis described the Central District display as ‘similar to a board game, similar to monopoly’.

“The theme was about an everyday person dreaming of becoming a farmer or a any career in agriculture,” he said.

It followed the career journey of a young person in the ag game, and the chances, the setbacks and the wins they might experience along the way.

For years, Francis has volunteered his time at the Royal Easter Show and while he was thrilled to be part of the top team, it’s very much a labour of love for this Yarrie Lake farmer who enjoys showing off quality produce from the bush and connecting with people from both the city and country.

“I love doing it: the friendship, the camaraderie and being able to advertise the bush,” he said.

“You catch up with people you know but also people just come up to you and ask questions, the displays create that interest, and people want to ask you about farming and where you come from.”

The Royal Easter Show has long been billed as the time of year when the bush comes to the big smoke and Francis still believes it plays an important part in bridging the country-city divide.

“They get the chance to feel and smell the wool, the cotton,” he explained.

“The animal nursery is a place all the city kids love to go; you see them trying to pick up a chicken. It’s great.”

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW is committed to celebrating and supporting country communities and the not-for-profit organisation’s website gives a snapshot of the District Exhibits history, explaining how in 1876 show societies from around the state were asked to mount displays of their produce, and thus the District Exhibits display was under way.

By 1900 the NSW government could see the value in promoting the hard work and lush produce of each district and provided some prize money, and in 1911 the Perpetual Shield was first presented, and the spirit of competition was alive and well.

In 1950 the five permanent districts were finalised and represented the Central, Northern, Southern and Western regions of NSW along with South East Queensland.

Today each display consists of more than 10,000 pieces of fresh produce – and only the best of the best makes its way into the display.

Once the pavilion is packed up the food that can be is donated.

However, the show didn’t end there for Francis – he made the most of his trip to Sydney and was lucky enough to be an audience member at Australian Idol.

“It was fantastic, I backed the winner,” he added.