Opening of the Tamworth Show
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Kamilaroi People, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present, emerging leaders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders gathered here today.
Good morning.
It is a great pleasure for Linda and me to be with you for the 146th Tamworth Show.
The show is billed as three days of action packed family fun—and, like every year, this certainly seems to be the case!
There’s something for everyone:
- from the rodeo and camel racing, to the mini bucking bulls
- the bigger than ever poultry section
- favourites like showjumping and wood chop
- all the exhibitions of cooking, art and craft
- I also understand there’s even some football displays of the Raiders and Rabbitohs—I must confess I am a mad keen Souths supporter, but with the Tongue family connection I suspect I am firmly in Raiders territory!
All in all, it is wonderful to see the grounds teeming with activity and life!
And, in its second year, this new home (Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre) is taking the show to the next level.
The arena is quite a sight—filled with horses and award winning bulls, dairy cattle and sheep.
The concourse surrounding the arena also looks fantastic.
Denise and her team can be very proud of what they have achieved.
I also thought the idea this year of naming buildings and arenas after people who have contributed greatly to the show was an excellent one.
Because at its heart this show is about people and community.
It’s a chance to catch up with friends—who you may not see as often as you should.
It’s about pitching in and volunteering.
It’s a reminder that none of us are alone—in good times and in bad.
And there is no getting away from it—Nature can make life difficult.
Since becoming Governor-General, I have made a point of getting out into rural areas and meeting the people and communities who have been doing it tough, whether that be through drought or flood.
And what I’ve seen is a resilient Australian spirit—one of sticking with it, acceptance of hard work and optimism for the future.
Australians get on with life; we look out for each other and we bounce back.
That spirit is alive and well here today.
The show is a morale booster, and from what we have seen today it is raising spirits.
A big thank you to everyone who makes this event possible—the exhibitors, the organisers, the sponsors and volunteers and so many more.
It is now my pleasure to officially declare the 2019 Tamworth Show, fast becoming known as the ‘Royal of the North’, open.
Thank you.
[Ends]