Peakhurst Heights resident Doreen Rhodes has been honoured as a Champion of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS).
Doreen has been presented with this prestigious Champion of the RAS Award, in appreciation of her lifetime of support of the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
She was one of 15 people from across NSW who were recognised by the RAS for their commitment to the Sydney Royal competitions.
Doreen joined the other RAS champions in the Grand Parade in the main arena of the show on April 15.
She was singled out for her time as an exhibitor, a judge and a marshall at the show, particularly her involvement in the judging of the goat section of the competition.
Doreen began as an exhibitor in 1996 but she has had a life-long involvement with the Royal Easter Show.
"I was two years old at my first show, the first one after WWII," Doreen said. "I haven't missed a show in 72 years.
"My father, James Powell was always a member of the Royal Agricultural Society and exhibited Sydney Silkies in the dogs section.
Doreen and husband Geoffrey bought a farm in Gulgong in 1984 and divided their time between the city and the farm.
"We got angora goats to clean up the blackberries but the angora fleece got caught up in the blackeries so we got cashmere goats.
"We bought a bigger property, 1500 acres and ran sheep and cattle. Eventually we had about 500 goats and 100 cattle.
"Goats are very intelligent. If they find a hole in the fence they will get out but they will come back 90 per cent of the time.
"I exhibited in 1996 at Moore Park when I had the first lot of cashmere goats. When the RAS moved the Homebush I worked as a steward for the goats exhibit and marshalling the Boer goats.
"Then I started as a breed inspector and then I was a marshalling steward. The last few years I spent 11 days every year involved in the show. I did that for 22 years."
RAS president, Robert Ryan congratulated Doreen on her award.
"All our Champions epitomise what the show is about, celebrating the people, practices and produce of Australian agriculture, and this award is a fantastic way to acknowledge that," Mr Ryan said.
Doreen said the show has changed but the friends have remained.
"I cried the last day at Moore Park. There was so much history," she said.
"It has changed but then I can remember how it was when I was a kid.
"Each section of the show is a close-knit community. Everybody seems to know everybody.
"Each show is like catching up with old friends. You catch up with people haven't seen for 12 months."
After a life-time of involvement in the show as an exhibitor and an official, this was the first year she attended as a visitor.
"There's no way I would miss it," she said.
