Honorary life members of the AP&H Crookwell Show have more than 250 years of combined show knowledge, experience and volunteering. The five recipients at the 2019 Show were Reta Beattie, Roger McIntosh, Kim George, Tony Hewitt and Ken Hewitt.
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Mr George, who is the chief steward of the poultry section and has been for many years, has had success in both Crookwell and Sydney Royal with his chooks.
“He is our go-to poultry man, or poultry king!” emcee Laura Clements said.
Mr George was also recognised with an award for the Outstanding Contribution to the Rural Industry (OCRI).
His achievements include the champion Large Rhode Island Red at Sydney Royal, champion bird of show at Bathurst Poultry Club and Rhode Island Club Dapto, champion large fowl at the Goulburn Poultry Club and champion soft feather bird at the Harden Poultry Club. He also won the Best Bird in Show at the Crookwell, Taralga and Yass shows. Mr George regularly exhibits against 800 different animals at shows, but said he was overwhelmed by the award.
Ms Beattie, who recently won the Group 7 rich fruit cake competition and progressed to Sydney Royal, has been a long-standing judge of cake competitions around the zone, and is senior steward of the pavilion cookery section. She has been displaying cakes for more than 56 years. “Her expertise is very much in demand,” said Ms Clements.
Her first entry in the Crookwell Show was in 1948, 71 years ago, with needlework.
Mr McIntosh has been steward of the cattle, rodeo steward, president between 2009-11, and established team penning in 2009. He was also pivotal in the re-introduction of harness racing.
“[His] show story spans over 50 years,” Ms Clements said.
Tony Hewitt served as president after Mr McIntosh, 2012-14. He joined the AP&H Society when he was 16 years old.
Ken Hewitt has been involved for more than 50 years, and his contribution has extended to Sydney Royal, where he has been coordinator of the Southern District Exhibit team since 1988.
Past winners of the OCRI are John Williams for his Stonehaven Cup triumph at Sydney Royal in 2016 and, last year, Brian and Lorraine Frost for a catalogue of achievements for their Hillden Poll Dorset Stud in 2017.
This year’s nominees were Brad and Maria Cartwright, 'Kempton', Fullerton; Brian and Lorraine Frost, 'Hillden Poll Dorset Stud', Bannister; John Williams, 'Thalabah Merino Stud', Laggan; Bob and Scott Anderson, 'Talkook Border Leicester Stud', Wheeo; and Ken and Liz Ikin, 'Cloverlee Poll Hereford Stud', Bannister.
“For such a small area to produce quality animals across a range of species is very special,” Ms Clements said.
