WHEN Jacqui Fowler and her husband moved from Orange to Cudal five years ago, a flyer in their letterbox arrived that led to the pair taking on key roles in one of the town’s biggest community events.
The flyer was an advertisement for the Cudal Show annual general meeting and the couple decided to go along to see what it was all about.
“I walked out as the secretary, and he walked out as the safety officer,” she said.
Five years on, Ms Fowler is still the Cudal Show secretary, as well as the publicity officer and market organiser, and she is now helping to prepare for a particularly special year, the 125 running of the event.
The milestone will be celebrated with a full day of the items that make a country show such a great day out, from animals and horses to market stalls, live music, magic, entertainment and, of course, plenty of food.
Fairy La La will be returning to entertain the kids, while Cirquemnavigate will be roaming around the showgrounds and Shane Kerr will provide the live music.
The horse program will be a major attraction, alongside the much-loved Pavilion entries, where the community’s talents will be put on display.
There are a few new additions to the program this year too.
For the first time, the show will feature a ute show, and organisers are hoping to have a bar onsite.
The day will also run later than usual, staying open until 5pm before finishing up with what promises to be a rather entertaining finale, lawn mower races.
And if that isn’t enough to tempt people through the gates, Ms Fowler has a few personal recommendations.
“I personally think they shouldn’t miss anything,” she said, “but the dog high jump is a must see.”
The reptile show is another one she says visitors should make time for.
While there is plenty happening in the ring and around the showground, much of the work that makes the Cudal Show possible happens well before Show Day.
A committee of 10 community members works throughout the year to put the event together, with plenty of extra volunteers pitching in in the lead-up and on the day itself.
There are gates to man, grounds to mow, judges and stewards to organise and countless other jobs that might not be noticed by visitors but are essential to making the day run smoothly.
The show has changed considerably since it first began.
While agriculture is still important, it no longer has quite the same presence in the area, and Ms Fowler said that has been reflected in the number of entries in the livestock and farm produce sections.
But while competitions may have changed, the reason people come through the gates has remained consistent.
“It is a great day of fun for the whole family that is budget friendly,” Ms Fowler said.
Being involved in the show has also become a way of giving back to the community for Ms Fowler and her husband.
She said there was something special about being part of a tradition that has been running for generations, particularly at a time when people can so easily become caught up in their own busy lives.
“It is a gathering place,” she said.
“The world has changed so much, and everyone is so busy. Having events like this allows everyone to get together and see their neighbours and friends that maybe they haven’t seen in a while.”
It is a chance to catch up, eat good food, have a laugh and spend a day with the people around you, something that can be surprisingly hard to find in everyday life.
For Ms Fowler, the Cudal Show is not a huge event where people disappear into a crowd. It is more intimate than that.
“The Cudal Show is a place where agriculture, community and family fun all come together in one place,” she said.
“It’s a place to bump into your neighbours, somewhere your kids can roam and an idea that is just a little bit nostalgic.”
