By Rebecca Skilton
Now based in a suburban community, the Berwick show is a vital connection to the area’s agricultural and farming history. However, while this year’s show came together with record-breaking success, it is a triumph that couldn’t have been achieved without the work of dedicated sponsors, local volunteers and committee members.
“I am very happy with the way the show turned out,” Berwick and District Agriculture and Horticulture Society president Willem Boon said.
“Some section entries were down a little bit, others were up. There were 150-odd sheep (and on Saturday) and then 150-odd dogs in Flyball, which is amazing … I’m bragging here, but we had 37 axeman entered (on Sunday).
“We had record crowds for the show on Sunday,” Willem said. “I’m very happy. When I saw how many people came through the gates, I got a bit emotional.”
Having become involved with the show committee 10 years ago, Willem believes that while many people are attracted to the show’s competitive events and carnival attractions, the show at its heart stands as an educational experience of Berwick’s agricultural history.
“I think for suburban shows like us, it becomes more about education and to keep the people in touch with the land,” Willem said. “To show people things like where cattle (and) milk comes from … we should be more focused on education other than complete competition.”
However, while the Berwick show provides invaluable insight into life on the land for those living in suburban regions – it’s a form of insight that would fail to exist without the tireless work of volunteers.
“What I do enjoy the most is the setup and the fellowship of the people who are working at the ground,” Willem said.
“Those people who are working on the showground, they want to be here. They are the true volunteers who make it happen.
“This is not my show, this is our show,” Willem said.
“This is a team effort. I’m only a figure.”
Yet, despite the show’s undeniable success for this year, Willem encourages anyone wanting to get involved with future shows to do so, as volunteers are always welcome.
“It takes a team to put the show together but (at the moment) the team is not big enough,” Willem admitted.
“We are a very old committee, which is not unusual for show committees, (but) we have been here since last Saturday – a week ago – trying to set up and get ready, we’re doing it hard.”
“2018 show planning starts after the AGM which is in June … so it takes roughly nine months. We have to start getting this process rolling a little bit quicker – to get volunteers on board,” Willem said. “Anyone can become involved. A volunteer is someone you never say no to.”
