THE Swan Hill and District Agricultural & Pastoral Society Inc has paid tribute to two of its members for their ongoing support and dedication.
A Life Membership citation was awarded to both Christine Bryan and Laurel Parsons.
Ms Bryan started her association with the society when she was very young, following her mother’s interest in showing pavilion entries at the annual Swan Hill Show.
She has been exhibiting all her life, mainly exhibiting in the cookery and horticulture classes and has even attended judging schools.
In 2003, she was a steward in the horticulture Section for the Show Society and the following year, was asked to work in the office during the Show period.
President Reginald Packer said Ms Bryan was a valuable member of the show’s admin team.
“One of her jobs was to have the boxes ready for each pavilion section, which everybody appreciated because everything that was needed, would be in it,” he said.
“She continued to be a part of the shows’ admin team over the past 20 years, contributing her wealth of knowledge to assist the team in preparing for the show each year.”
“Christine, with the help of her sister, Robyn, have decorated a shop window display in the main street for many years to help advertise each year’s show.
“It was quite a bit of work for a display that was only on show for about three weeks of the year, but it always looked spectacular,” Mr Packer said.
In 2020 – 2021 during COVID, Ms Bryan gave up her time to fill the secretary role for several months, while the secretary was on leave.
“She kept the office running during this unpredictable time in the hope that we’d still be able to run our annual show.
“She has always supplied many cakes and biscuits over the years for our workers and office staff, before and after the show.
“On behalf of the committee and members, I presented the Life Membership citation to Ms Bryan as an acknowledgment of our appreciation on many years of voluntary and paid work for the Swan Hill District Agricultural & Pastoral Society.
“Congratulations Christine, on all your hard work,” Mr Packer said.
Also awarded a Life Membership citation was Laurel Parsons.
Mrs parsons commenced her association with the Swan Hill District Agricultural & Pastoral Society Inc. after she married her husband, Kevin, who was a steward in one of the show pavilions.
Her first Show was in 1972 as a show society steward 52 years ago, providing continued commitment and valued support.
She moved to Swan Hill in 1967 for a teaching position and has been involved with several community organisations and taken on many office bearing roles.
Mr Packer said Mrs Parsons commitment and dedication to the society evolved over time.
“She went on to qualify as a horticultural judge, which takes several years of study and commitment to complete,” he said.
“She now mentor’s others wanting to become horticultural judges.
“Over the years, she has also attended many district shows as a horticultural judge and is well respected in the show community.”
Mrs parsons remains the head steward in the horticultural section.
“On behalf of the society committee and members, I was pleased to award her with a Life Membership as an acknowledgment of our appreciation for her many years of voluntary work,” Mr Packer said.
