President's Message
A warm welcome to the Castle Hill and Hills District Agricultural Society’s 127th Annual Show.
127 years is a long time to have been a part of a community.
As I looked through an article recently of the 1890 show, I noticed some family names that are part of the Hills District today. Well remembered local farmers the Roughleys, Fagans and Wadells were exhibitors. This was along with the Tuckwells, Acres, Cranes and Gilberts to name just a few. We travel down roads named after these people today.
At the show of 1891 local orchardists exhibited what were called “Smiths Seedlings”; they won the prize for cooking apples. These seedlings later produced the world famous “Granny Smith” apple, attributed to Maria Ann Smith of a local farming family from Eastwood.
The recent announcement by the State Government to keep the showground intact whilst providing the North West Rail Line was welcome news. This, together with naming the local station, Showground Station, has preserved the endeavours of those early pioneers.
Whilst the Hills District has changed much from those early beginnings we still provide food and fibre although it is now part of the modern urban farming movement.
The Show is the culmination of a year of long hard work. This is by committee members, community groups, officials, exhibitors and sponsors.
Thank you for your efforts and support. Your contribution makes the Castle Hill Show the wonderful community event that it is……. in the wonderful setting the showground provides.
Enjoy our 127th Annual Show where “City Meets Country”.
Peter Gooch
President