THE sun has set on the Cootamundra Show for another year with organisers praising attendance and a picture perfect weekend enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. 

The dedicated effort of the Cootamundra APH and I Association made this year’s 123rd Cootamundra Show the first in history to extend over three days. 

Such is the strength of the APH and I Association, president Geoff Larson said in September this year 30 people turned up for a committee meeting. 

This is at a time when some other regional shows are struggling for volunteers.

There was heaps on offer this year including everything from the pavilions of photography, craft, fleece, jams and preserves to livestock and pet judging, junior judging, freestyle motocross, a magician, the quick shear and the 2013 Showgirl announcement. 

“If you didn’t find something here to please you, you’re hard to please,” Mr Larson joked during the show opening. 

In officially opening the 2013 Cootamundra Show, former Member for Hume Alby Schultz thanked those who have been busy behind the scenes creating the event. 

“This event doesn’t just happen, it happens because of the people who make it happen,” Mr Schultz said. 

“Without the support of sponsors and volunteers this magnificent day would not happen,” he added. 

With his wife Gloria Schultz the couple were awarded Life Membership to the Cootamundra APH and I Association. 

They were presented their badges during the official opening of the show with both emotional about the honour. 

The opening concluded with the showgirl announcement and a terrific number of close to 40 entrants lining the stage in the Showgirl, Little Miss, Miss Showgirl and Master Stockman competitions. 

Ellie Morton is this year’s Showgirl, taking the title ahead of five other entrants, with Tegan Everett announced runner up. 

A very shocked Ellie took to the stage to accept the honour    saying “I’d like to thank Heather and Geoff Bush for all the work they put into the Showgirl competition”.

She paid tribute to the “great community spirit” which is encouraged by the Coota Show and the Showgirl competition alike. 

The announcement of Ellie as the 2013 Showgirl continues a proud tradition for the Morton family with her older sister Hannah representing Cootamundra as Showgirl in 2000. 

Ellie, the daughter of Peter and Michelle, is a Stockinbingal girl who is currently completing her certificate three in hospitality at E’Claires Coffee Shop in town.

She loves visiting the show and had a great time on Saturday as a Showgirl entrant doing the rounds of the show and sashing cattle and sheep in the livestock competitions. 

She will now represent Cootamundra at the zone level and as part of her Showgirl experience will attend an etiquette course later this year. 

Ellie hopes her year as Showgirl will be just the beginning of her involvement in the Coota Show. 

“I definitely want to be involved in the show in years to come,” Ellie said.

Tegan also made mention of the community spirit fostered by the Cootamundra Show when accepting her runners up award. 

“The Show is something that brings the community together,” Tegan said. 

Look to Wednesday’s and Friday’s Cootamundra Herald     editions for more photos from the Cootamundra Show.