129th Nyngan Show success
Originally published in The Nyngan Weekly
The 129th Nyngan Show was held this weekend and was a resounding success.
People from across the west poured into the showgrounds over two days, with volunteers working tirelessly in the week prior to prepare for the event.
The show was officially opened on Sunday by rugby league legend Les Boyd.
Mr Boyd spoke about his time as a rugby player and growing up in Nyngan as a child. He reminisced of being a child and doing everything he could to save up money throughout the year in order to afford to come to the show.
Mr Boyd admired the dedication of the show society and spearheads in Nyngan whom have donated so much of their time and energy not only to the show but to the community over the years. Mr Boyd reflected fondly on his time as a young child in Nyngan and his friendship with Rodney Robb.
After leaving Nyngan Mr Boyd went on to have an incredibly rugby league career, after playing for the Australian Schoolboys under 16 side in 1972 while attending Nyngan High School.
From there Mr Boyd blossomed into his career, playing league not only in Australia but in England also.
Reflecting on his career he said that football in England was the best football he played, saying the English competition suited him and he enjoyed his time over there most.
In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to
Australia’s international standing in rugby league. Mr Boyd said it was a great honour to receive the award for playing the game. Since his time as a footballer Mr Boyd said the game has changed entirely and looks nothing like how it did when he was on the field. He concluded his open by again thanking the Nyngan community for their contributions to the show and the fantastic reception it receives.
During the show opening four members were granted life membership. John Chamberlain, Diane Donald, Ray Donald, and Geoff Martin were formally recognised for their decades of support and dedication to the putting on of the Nyngan Show.
The Wye Pavilion was once again bursting with the handiwork of the Nyngan community. Over in the fine arts section, stewards cooed at the calibre of work entered this year. Judging during the baked goods competition became heated with tight competition hard to split for first and second prize.
Once again judges from across the region came to Nyngan to provide their expertise in everything from needlepoint to preserves, and stewards eagerly hung onto every word they said - perhaps keeping an ear out for any tips for their entries next year.
It wasn’t just the Wye Pavilion that attracted esteemed judges, with livestock, horse, and wool sections all expertly judged also. With families and children running around across both days of the show, there was never a quiet moment with plenty of things to see, do, and taste no matter your age.