Peter Gooch is determined to help country shows across NSW thrive as the new president of a peak agricultural body.
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He will lead AgShows NSW, formerly known as Agricultural Societies Council (ASC) of NSW, an organisation that supports and promotes agricultural industries and community involvement in local shows.
The waratah grower, poultry judge and exhibitor brings decades of experience and passion to the role.
He chaired the Young Woman and Rural Achiever competitions and focused on education as the group's vice President, and is the vice president of the Exhibition Poultry Association of NSW and Bantam Club of NSW, and a Castle Hill Show committee member.
The Kangaroo Valley resident, who is soon making the move to the Highlands, said local shows were events with something for everyone.
"They're such a vibrant community activity, there's the display of crafts, animals, interests are varied," he said.
While the president said shows have adapted with the times, organisers have faced different obstacles.
One that he wants to focus on is shows that run on crown land and the relationships between societies and land managers.
"My recent experiences in dealing with the Department of Lands and some of the show societies who have become casualties of the inaction of Crown Lands have given me great concern for those shows," he said.
"Because shows are a hard, complicated thing to run, to have a showground and have a good relationship with crown land manager...when it doesn't work out, [it's] hard for volunteers."
Another aspect that is a priority for the president is getting more young people involved.
He said the youth group ASC NSW Next Generation Group, has had many members "coming through the ranks" and joining show executive teams which has made him optimistic.
"[I would] certainly like to foster that if we can keep them and they can take over," he said.
Encouraging students to participate in activities like judging when they are in high school, is another way to increase youth involvement.
He said activities like the Young Farmer's Challenge have had an increase in youth participation.
Mr Gooch developed his interest in poultry judging and exhibiting when he was part of a youth farming group as a teenager.
He is also involved with the Moss Vale Show.
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