Show president Patrick Ryan said he was just pleased the show had gone off  ‘without a hitch.’

“Fortunately everything more or less went according to plan.

“Some of the sections had much higher numbers while others were a little bit down but on average, we were on a par as far as competitors and people through the front gates goes.”

With this year his first as show president, Mr Ryan said he was overwhelmed with the support the event received from the community. 

“An event of this size relies heavily on volunteers and community support - and we had plenty of both.

“There are 10 on the executive and over 20 section captains as well as dozens of judges, stewards and volunteers that all help pull the show together,” he said. 

“It is a 100 per cent community driven event and I think that is the secret of its ongoing success.”  

From the Rescue Squad that managed the parking, to the farmers that donated livestock and equipment, the Upper Hunter Shire staff that prepared the grounds, local businesses and families that donated prizes, parents and grandparents that cooked for three days in the canteen to the pony club kids that pitched in to pick up rubbish left behind on the Sunday.  

Where ever you turned, there were many helping hands making light work of one of Merriwa’s greatest community events.   

Other highlights included an awe inspiring performance by the main act Rooftop Express which held spectators captivated from start to finish despite a few initial sound issues.  

‘Dog’ the effervescent kelpie owned by Jamie Power of Scone who convincingly took out the dog high jump event setting a new show record of 2.1 metres.

Eight Young Farmer contestants pitted their skills across a range of areas including animal husbandry, fencing, cropping, mechanics and general management with Ben McWhirter triumphant overall and Tom Shannon a close second. 

Wool judge Tom Henry said he was very impressed with the quality of wool presented at the show. 

“Once again it was a great wool show for a small town and very well supported.

“I can see pride in the growing of wool showing through in style and character of the Merino and cross bred wool,” he said. 

‘Bulla Gully’ were awarded highest point score and champion district fleece in both the merino and cross bred sections with RJ and A Inder awarded champion cross bred fleece.

In the cattle section Meriden Limousin, Merriwa took out the single bull under 18 months in the unled stud cattle with another local breeder, Tivoli Angus taking out the single cow and calf section while Don Eather cleaned up in the single heifer class. 

In the prime cattle section PH and AS Carrigan were overall winners of the first on the hoof class, followed closely by Alexander Downs and D and K Goodear while Hardwyck took out top honours in the second on the hoof class. 

Highest weight gain went to C and G Bates, champion pen went to PH and AS Carrigan with reserve champion awarded to Hardwyk. 

Champion beast was awarded to D and M Cameron with the highest point score on the hoof an equal tie between local beef growers PH and AS Carrigan and Hardwyck. 

In the produce section, local hay contractor Daryl Hanckel was awarded highest point score and winner of the SJ Hunt Shield. 

In the campdraft, Adam Wrobel won the maiden, Steven Ninness the novice, Makayla Mobberley the junior cut-out, Ty Riley the junior and Zeb Pearce the juvenile draft. 

In the challenge event, Clare Martin won the open, Sophie Maynes the Juvenile and Claudia Atfield the Junior Challenge event. 

Supreme district rider went to Brooke Johnston while Michelle Doloherty and ‘Carbery Estate Uncle Sam’ took out the supreme champion heavy horse award.

The Martin family of Merriwa scooped the pool in the horse section with Nicole Martin winning the Kevin Shannon trophy, Anastasia winning the Throwley perpetual award and the Martin family winning the Patricia Kait award for most successful exhibitors.

In the pavilion Alex Addams of Merriwa was outstanding for the third year running winning the Binks Family Perpetual trophy for home handicrafts and overall highest point score.

The Teena Constable Perpetual trophy went to Molly Wong, the Mrs HD Fairfax Family prize went to Leah Wright and the Rogers Family Trophy went to Molly Wong.

The Mrs A Kemp medal for eight competitors 8 years and under went to Darcy Taaffe with the Mrs P Kirkby medal for 5 years and under awarded jointly to Wills Mulligan and Thomas Campbell.