Local residents at the Sydney Royal Easter Show

Local residents were part of setting up exhibits, judging and demonstrating at the recent Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Kevin and Trish Lawty’s black Rosecombs pullet won champion Rosecomb.

POULTRY

Narrabri residents Kevin and Trish Lawty took home no less than 33 placings in the Poultry classes at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show including Champion Rosecomb Bantam, Champion Trio True Bantam and Most Successful Exhibitor in the Standard and Bantam Softfeather Classes. The success of the Lawty family demonstrated their mastery in poultry breeding, reflecting profound knowledge and commitment to excellence.

Celia Galagher and Jean Shearer of Wee Waa Pony Club competed in the pairs event.

PONY CLUB EVENTS

From Wee Waa Pony Club, Celia Galagher competed on her horse in the Pony Club events for Zone 5 – winning the under-13s team of four, placing fourth in the pairs together with Jean Shearer, and the Wee Waa Pony Club team placed fourth in the Rider in Action class. Jean was also placed second in the individual Rider in Action class.

Rural Achiever State Finalist Georgie Haire with her parents, Marty and Jan Haire.

RURAL ACHIEVER STATE FINALISTS

Georgie Haire enjoyed her weekend at the Sydney Royal Easter Show as a Rural Achiever State finalist.

Competitors had the privilege of going behind the scenes of the show, meeting with volunteers who make the show possible, participating in helping with stewarding in various sections, as well as undergoing professional development sessions.

The group were very fortunate to meet with industry leaders, as well as make connections with other likeminded young people involved in the show movement. Georgie strongly encourages anyone aged between 20-29 to consider applying for the 2026 Rural Achiever Program.

Francis Drysdale helped set up the Central District produce display.

CENTRAL DISTRICT DISPLAY

Francis Drysdale attended the Royal Easter Show again this year working with regional representatives to help erect the Central district produce display.

The group are given 10 days to assemble the display, with the backdrop done prior to the show. The Central district had a very successful year this year, taking home first in Display and second in Produce.

Peter Grainger and Francis Drysdale’s floral art entry.

FLORAL ART

Francis Drysdale and Peter Grainger entered two floral art sections.

Their first floral art display was unplaced, but the pair were delighted to see their second entry placed third.

Georgia and Boston Kirkby with Waterloo Victor, a steer which was donated to Boston’s school, Riverview College.

CATTLE – SANTAS

Georgia Kirkby of Bellata and her stud cattle ‘Waterloo Santas’ enjoyed success within an exceptional line up of cattle, comprising approximately 120 Santa animals from Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and NSW. Results for Georgia included Waterloo Winnie W12 fourth in under 12-month heifers; Waterloo Wattle W6 fifth in under 12-month heifers; and Waterloo Vital V17 3rd in the 18 months and under 20 months heifer class.

Waterloo Ultimate U55 also made the trip down to Sydney.

Saint Ignatius College Riverview also exhibited Waterloo Victor in the middleweight open steer class and took home second in the lightweight Santa steer class.

The steer has been donated to the school by Georgia and her brother Boston.

Truro heifers with Damon Murphy and Scott Hann leading.

CATTLE – HEREFORD AND POLL HEREFORD

Scott and Pip Hann of Bellata enjoyed a very busy 10 days at the show with a large show team.

It was all hands-on deck for another successful showing for Truro Whiteface.

Established in 1987, Truro Whiteface is run by the Hann family, Scott and Pip and their two daughters Tilly and Sophie. Breeding both Hereford and Poll Hereford cattle, Truro has over 200 registered females and runs a herd of approximately 500.

Bec Cope receiving the RAS Youth Medal at SRES Cattle Council dinner in 2024, pictured with RAS Youth Committee member Imogen Clarke.

STEWARDING – CATTLE

Since 2019 local Bec Cope has officiated in the cattle section as a steward at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Last year Bec was awarded the RAS Youth Medal for her contributions as steward. Stewards are responsible for a range of duties including recording of results, awarding ribbons and prizes, organisation of competitors/exhibits and marshalling of livestock, alongside assisting chief stewards and judges.

Archer and Ava Hunt from Narrabri Polocrosse Club.

POLOCROSSE

Archer and Ava Hunt from the Narrabri Polocrosse Club spent a great fun-filled few days at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Archer played for the NSW RSS Team Blue and Ava played for the NSW RSS Team Gold. NSW RSS Blue convincingly came out the winners in their grade, and NSW RSS Gold put up a good fight taking home the runners-up prize. The exciting week was topped off when Ava took home Best Australian Stockhorse with her pony Ocean Tinkabell.

Jessie Simpson (right) was part of the Young Judges State Finals, and is pictured inspecting vegetables.

YOUNG JUDGES STATE FINALS

Jessie Simpson competed in the Young Judges State Final in Merino fleece, meat, sheep, and fruit and vegetables. Jessie spoke on the fruit and vegetable section and progressed into the top ten young judges, a great achievement showcasing Jessie’s vast range of experience in the rural sector.

Claudia’s sister in law, (first on the left) Nicole Forrester, Claudia Williams with her mother Fiona and father Tim on the grounds at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

THE LAND SYDNEY ROYAL AGSHOWS NSW YOUNG WOMAN

Claudia Williams represented Narrabri in The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman competition. Highlights of the event were meeting 14 other remarkable competitors and spending a week exploring the show. Deep diving into the background works of the show included meeting the committee, stewarding and broadcasting. Claudia enjoyed the week immensely. “It was an amazing experience that I have Narrabri Show Society to thank for getting me on the path to.”

Steve Bradshaw tentpegging with the sword at Sydney Royal Show with the Maitland team.

TENTPEGGING

Steve Bradshaw competed in Tentpegging with the Maitland team. The sport of tentpegging showcases the skill and ability of a horse and rider working together in a team of four to collect pegs with a lance or sword as quickly as possible. Each team is scored on the number of pegs collected and judged on drill formation.

Janice Smith at the Cake Decorating showcase.

DECORATED CAKES

Janice Smith judged the Decorated Cake Section with two other judges and more than 100 entries. Eileen Scriven won the Grand Champion cake, due to her skilled extension work and techniques rarely used nowadays by cake decorators. Janice also demonstrated the creation of Sugar Eggs. In times gone by these eggs were popular as a nostalgic and delicate art form.

It was a well-attended demonstration especially attracting children but also brought back memories for others who were familiar with the techniques passed down by their families.