Show president Rob Tindall described it as a testament to the committee and rural show spirit, with numbers up in a lot of classes despite an extremely trying season for producers. 

Entries in district classes were high across the board in the pavilion, stud cattle, sheep, poultry and horse events. 

“At no stage did we consider not running the show,” he said. 

“Our show is all about educating the next generation.

“For the past 110 years, we’ve only missed one show and that was during the war.”

Life member Tim Henderson joined the Merriwa Show committee in 1961 and had the honour of officially opening proceedings on Saturday in true show tradition. 

“I went to my first show in the 1950s and have seen the show progress since then,” he said. 

“I think the secret to the Merriwa Show committee’s success is the consistency over the years.

“They’ve put on a hell of a good show in fine conditions here today.”

Over in the Fairfax Pavilion, president of the Ladies Auxiliary Julia Hardy was delighted with the quality and number of displays, especially in the floral section.

The pavilion overflowed with colourful exhibits, cake decoration courtesy of the Merriwa Country Women’s Association and school and farm displays put together by local students.

“We also have some quality needlework, quilting and knitting and horticulture displays,” Ms Hardy said. 

“We are so proud of Merriwa for their effort this year and a special mention goes to Scone Grammar School student Molly Wong for her consistent effort and needlework, preserves and craft entries.”

In the Prime Stock competition, the Medd family of Merriwa took out champion pen with their Limousin Shorthorn Cross steers, also picking up champion steer while Knowla Livestock won the reserve champion pen. 

Section captain Tony Inder said the standard was high with 198 head entered from the Merriwa and wider district however due to the seasonal conditions the stock were in lighter condition. 

Despite no wool section this year, the Merino Stud Sheep section also received a strong response according to chief steward Peter Gallagher with six exhibitors. 

“The standard was very good,” Mr Gallagher said. 

Trynow Merino Stud won the Grand Champion Ram while Grand Champion Ewe went to Cassilis Park. 

In the poultry section, Phillip Redding of “Corumbene” at  Dunedoo was awarded Champion Bird of Show for his Black Australorp  pullet.