Gunnedah Show Society life member Kim Shields has been recognised for 25 years’ service as secretary of Northwest Showgroup.
The showgroup membership features nine towns from across the state’s north including Bingara, Wee Waa, Walgett, Warialda, Narrabri, Mungindi, Moree, Tamworth and Gunnedah.
Every show in NSW must be a member of a showgroup to exhibit.
Ms Shields said her participation in agricultural shows stretched back to her childhood.
“I have been involved with shows since I was very small, starting with floral saucers in junior horticulture,” she said.
Her early involvement included as ‘Red Coat’ at the Wee Waa Show for many years. She was also sashed Miss Wee Waa Showgirl in 1980.
In 1983, Ms Shields was elected joint secretary of Wee Waa Show before moving to Gunnedah where she started exhibiting in the mid-1980s.
She was convenor the Gunnedah Show Showgirl Competition for six years before being voted in as secretary of the Northwest Showgroup Group 14 in 1998. In this position, Ms Shields was following in the footsteps of her aunt, Jill Sweetman, who also held the position of group secretary for 25 years.
Today, her involvement includes volunteering her time in the Gunnedah Show office and as convenor of awards and ribbons for the show.
Ms Shields said the award was a highlight of her time as secretary of Group 14 which is fortunate to be supported by great people.
“We get to meet so many like-minded people from other shows in the group and I’ve made many firm friends over the years,” she said.
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