Louise Markus (Macquarie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise with much delight to speak on the 130th Hawkesbury agricultural show, held annually in the beautiful Hawkesbury region of the Macquarie electorate. This year's show saw the greatest number of attendees ever in the history of the show. Some 52,000 people attended the three-day event. It first started in 1845 with some 3,000 attendees. The President of the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association, the HDAA, said this year's event showed 'more soul' than ever before, with more entrants, more displays, more participants and more commercial and industrial interest. In fact, there was a waiting list of people who could not get a stall.

The HDAA are all volunteers who dedicate thousands of hours to ensure this iconic tradition is a huge success, and a success it was, assisted by great planning, eager visitors and beautiful weather. It was wonderful to enjoy the show and meet with many residents. I thank and congratulate particularly the president, Phil Close; the manager, Linda Beneke; all the committee; and the ground keepers. I also acknowledge the Rural Fire Service, particularly my own brigade, Oakville, who assisted in delivering a world-class show in one of NSW's premier showgrounds, the Hawkesbury Showground. I look forward to a great show next year in 2017.