Souffle-baking is a little like show-making...

Every local agricultural show has its baker. You know the one. They understand the balance of all the show ingredients. The know how to handle the many delicate elements and somehow, year after year, they produce the perfect show soufflé.

That same show baker has a finger in every pie: lamb pie, beef pie, alpaca pie, the largest-pumpkin pie, the preserves pie, the fruit cake pie, the art-and-craft pie, the showgirl pie, the carnival pie, the pony pie… (given recent international horse-meat-in-burger-scandals, I think it’s time to retire the pie analogy)… anyway.

What I mean to say is, there is a stalwart at every show who understands both the big picture and the minutiae. He or she is the one who manages more people (carnies, competitors and exhibitors) than Kim Jong Un and harbours more information - usually locked away in their brain - than Julian Assange. In a good way...

They’re the reason the show ticks.

So you can imagine the panic and concern when six weeks before one of the biggest shows in New South Wales, the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association secretary took ill and was hospitalised.  She was their backbone. Mary Aveyard knows everyone and everything – so say the many members of the committee and regular show-goers.



Hawkesbury Show's backbone Mary Aveyard, 2013 showgirl Sarah Warby and President Phil Close. 



So it was no mean feat that President Phil Close has committed the last six weeks to taking on both his own role and Mary’s, ensuring another memorable Hawkesbury soufflé.

In its 126th year, Hawkesbury Show had its best Friday gate-takings ever. What a huge endorsement for the work of the committee and the president under a most difficult and unpredicatable situation. Here's wishing Mary a speedy recovery. (Inclement (read: hideous) weather on the Saturday would have no doubt kept numbers slightly down on their major show day.)

On a personal note, Candice Eyles (their former Showgirl and Sydney Royal finalist) and I represented the RAS and ASC as Rural Achievers and could not have asked for more.



Hawkesbury Gazette article. Page 3. 



We were allowed time to view the exhibits before being invited to attend the official luncheon with pollies (Louise Markus MP and Councillor Mike Creed), their fabulous showgirl Sarah Warby and committee members alike.
We were on the official stage for the opening ceremony and acknowledged by the President in front of the crowd – surprisingly the crowd erupted in applause at the president’s announcement of our attendance as NSW Rural Achievers! Who knew we were worthy of such applause. Might have been a result of a sudden celebrity status courtesy of Candice's PR skills. Page three nonetheless!





Our transport for the day (at least during the grand parade). Lyndsey Douglas, Sarah Warby, Candice Eyles and Josh Robinson. Photo courtesy the fabulous Kylie Pitt from the Hawkesbury Gazette - what a wonder woman!

 


Then we were rushed off the podium onto a carriage pulled by two Clydesdales. Candice took the reins briefly next to the handsome Josh Robinson while I made besties with Ariel the kelpie before the wind blew my Akubra into the mud.





Lyndsey and Candice make a new friend - Ariel the kelpie.



We had photos in police cars, screamed our way around whirly rides, viewed the stunning view at night from the Skyview Wheel and enjoyed old-fashion ginger beer and corn. All in all – a show on the larger side worth attending with a serious agricultural focus and a wonderful community feel.



Hawkesbury Show at night from the Skywheel View.

Meanwhile, for those of you have not ever had the pleasure of being James Kelly's dance partner at Sydney Royal - we encourage you to take a ride on the Break Dancer. It's not dissimilar to the feeling - being sharply flung around with zero control over your movements - that you get when being on the dance floor with Jamie.

We've renamed this the "Jamie Kelly" experience.

A shout out to the wonderful Gail Forsyth of Mount Hope - it appears they like spinning here at the Hawkesbury Show too.

Candice hopes the impressive pumpkins will entice a prince. Good luck.