UPDATE: Sunday, June 20
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Woodstock are winners of the Resilience Award.
The Woodstock Memorial Show was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, but a group of volunteers investigated alternative options for events to be run virtually to keep the community connected.
Goulburn AP&H Society member Heather West said Woodstock deserved the win.
"They did a great job with their virtual show," Ms West said.
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"They had some good speakers who explained how people modified their running of their show."
Although the Goulburn Show fell short, Ms West said it was still nice to be a finalist.
"Everyone who ran the show deserved a pat on the back," she said.
"Everyone was a winner and I want to acknowledge all their hard work."
The Dedication Award went to Ross Matheson of the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association, the Excellence Award was won by Phillip Nankivell of the Blayney Agricultural and Pastoral Association and Mr Nankivell's show society at Blayney alongside the Mungindi Show won the President's Innovation Award.
EARLIER: Friday, June 18
Organisers' determination to stage a Goulburn Show against the odds and provide a ray of sunshine for people has been rewarded.
The Agricultural Societies Council of NSW has announced the 2020 event as one of four finalists in its Resilience Award.
It recognises events that showed "adaptability and hardiness" amid COVID-19 challenges.
READ MORE:
The Goulburn Show is up against Woodstock, Finley and Armidale for the gong and $2000 prize money.
Goulburn AP&H Society member Heather West said she nominated the March, 2020 show after realising the huge effort that president Jackie Waugh and others put in, despite the challenges.
"The amount of work in a normal year is extraordinary but to do all the extra was incredible," she said.
"Organisers only just got the show in 2020 but this year they had to work with the COVID restrictions, knowing that it could be pulled at any time."
Mrs West said the result this year was an event with "a lovely family atmosphere" and a meeting place where everyone could unwind after being locked down.
The 'firies' helped out on the gate in a reminder that the previous year's torrid bushfire season was behind everyone.
"Everyone was in a good mood and was appreciative of the effort that organisers had put in," Mrs West said.
The event also adapted, abolishing entry fees for pavilion exhibits to minimise cash handling during coronavirus.
Horse event entries doubled due to cancellation of many other shows.
Mrs West and co-historian Lyn Brown have gained insight into the amount of organisation involved.
They have interviewed many of the people associated with the Goulburn Show over the past 30 years for a yet to be published book.
She's hoping the 2020 event will scoop a Resilience Award.
Agricultural Societies Council of NSW chair Tim Capp said Goulburn's was one of the last shows to be held before lock down in 2020. Ten days later, lock down commenced.
"The society decided it was particularly important to offer a 2020 Show because their region had been impacted by drought, fires and floods," he said.
"Many of the show's own volunteers were personally affected. They believed the local community would benefit from coming together and enjoying some respite, relief, and entertainment.
"This year, while many shows were deterred by unpredictable state border closures, particularly as the preparation requires 12 months, this show society worked within a tight frame alongside NSW Health to create a Covid plan in order to host their (event).
"It was a decidedly traditional show, yet record crowds attended."
The winner will be announced online at the NSW State conference on Saturday, June 19.
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