FOR the second year in a row, the sun shone down and thousands packed into the Walbundrie Show for a day of fun and laughter.
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Droves of families made the journey out for one of the biggest shows in recent memory, with plenty of rides and entertainment for the kids, as well as showcases of country hospitality.
It's an important day for those country communities, a chance to come together and enjoy some of the simpler things in life – something Walbundrie Show Society president Max Webb is all too aware of.
While Mr Webb was happy to see Monday's show for the huge success it was, he knows there's a bigger picture at play.
"It's actually a relief, to know that this will all be worthwhile,” he said.
“It's very important under the present circumstances – farmers are doing it bloody tough.
“I've been farming for 50-odd years, and this is the first time I won't pull anything out unless we get a hell of a rain in the next few days, and I can’t see that happening.
“It's important that the guys get off their farms and they talk to people, and by talking to somebody they might learn something, pick something up that gets their mind off what's happening on their farm.
“Some of these guys are going to have very little income, it's going to be tough.”
A rare opportunity to get out in the community was extremely valuable, Mr Webb said.
“It's just a relief to get out and talk to your mates,” he said.
“To know that you're not the only one that's in trouble.
“All your mates are the same it's reassuring.
“Someone might have an idea, someone else might have one too, you can glean information from one another and find a way forward – it all helps.
“I'd just like to congratulate the community, it's been a great effort from them and the committee.”
Pleasant Hill's Stephanie Clancy was named Best Open Showgirl.
She and her family have had a long association with the show – her father Patrick Clancy is the show's vice-president – which means there have always been plenty of jobs to go around.
Though it keeps her busy, she said seeing the crowds piling in through gate made all the hard work worthwhile.
“We all have jobs here, it's an annual thing for us,” Ms Clancy said.
“It's an important thing for the community, communities thrive off these things and good numbers always influence how good the day is.
“It’s always nice to have a lot of entries for all of the different competitions.”
Having come to the Walbundrie show for at least a decade or more, Ms Clancy said a successful show could have a lasting impact on communities right around the region.
“It works well with school holidays and the weather does help, but it's a good day for everyone,” she said.
“You get to look at everything, kids have a crack at everything, there's the shearing competition, all the animals, there's something for everybody.
“We've got a really great facility for the show as well, all the local footy and cricket clubs are able to cater it and raise money as well.”
