Paul Anderson has walked the Showground since a small child, aged about four years.
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He said that, even before he could walk, his parents would push him around the Crookwell Show in a stroller.
“I have never missed a year at the Show,” he told the Gazette.
“It is ingrained in me and I love it. Mum and Dad were always involved with the show and it was natural for us kids to follow suit.
“Grandfather Hewitt also raced trotters all weekend at the Show.”
Mr Anderson became the AP&H secretary in 2004 and has improved the facilities with the help of a great committee.
He said it became obvious to him the Show alone was not enough to carry the Showgrounds’ costs year-round.
The Show has changed little over the years, with only a few new sections added.
Bringing the wood chop back was a victory for the Show as in 1916 it was stopped by a lack of local wood supply.
Five new sub-committees have been formed to run various events throughout the year to help prop up the Showgrounds’ expenses.
After the grand pavilion was refurbished, it opened the opportunity for weddings and other larger functions.
During Mr Anderson’s time as secretary, the Show Society saw much progress, including the upgrade of the trotting track and the return of harness racing. He put in place a water grant, upgraded the pipe system, and inaugurated team sorting events. The stock handling facilities were upgraded and Anderson oversaw the complete renovation of the dome pavilion.
One of the biggest tasks at the Showgrounds was the removal of 72 problematic pine and hawthorn trees.
Mr Anderson said he had “much pleasure in being elected as the incoming president” and intended to continue the progress made in recent years by continuing the upgrades of areas in most need.
“Roger McIntosh, Tony Hewitt and the late Bob Spackman were the presidents during the years of much development of the Showgrounds,” he said. “My goal will be to follow the lead of those three men.”
