Away from the dagwoods dogs, rides and games of Sideshow Alley is a serious side to all agricultural shows; the livestock judging and exhibits.
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Everything from beef to meatsheep, fleece, grain, fruit and veg comes under the microscope at regional shows giving competitors the opportunity to progress and presenting small, often family-run, operations with the opportunity to showcase the results of hard work in the paddock to industry experts.
A Sydney Royal ribbon can take pride of place in any cabinet and the Cootamundra Show is one which provides a direct path to the state’s capital for top competitors.
To continue to attract quality competitors to Cootamundra, the Show Society recognised a number of years ago they would need to upgrade their facilities.
In the past, it was not unusual to see stud sheep and cattle tethered to the bullbar of a vehicle, rather than housed undercover.
Agricultural folk are a resourceful lot and while there were no complaints, it is anticipated the new Butt Manwaring Pavillion will go a long way to providing facilities which keep the cream of the crop back year after year.
The pavillion was completed in the nick of time for this year’s show with Wes Fang MLC, Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council mayor Abb McAlister, deputy mayor Dennis Palmer and general manager Allan Dwyer all on hand on Saturday to officially declare the building open.
The wife and son of Rodney Butt, Maria and Lindsay, together with David and Janelle Manwaring, were also on hand, with these the two families for who the pavillion is named.
Rodney was never backward in stepping up for the Show Society and was there when the multipurpose pavillion was first touted.
If there was a working bee, there would be Rodney with his dingo chipping in to whatever needed doing.
David, supported by Janelle, is another long-time Show Society helper and put his hand up to project manage the new pavillion after the Society was able to secure funding from the Federal Government.
While additional funds are needed to complete the project in its entirety, it is anticipated the pavillion will be able to be used year-round for various activities, providing another income source to the Show Society.
