74-year-old Tom Dwyer has been named as the Sydney Royal Easter Show’s Show Legend for 2017.
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A former farmer of 45 years, Tom has provided produce for the Show’s Western District Exhibit since 1964 and has helped design the intricate displays for the past 14 years.
“I was pretty humbled. I never expected any recognition,” he said of the award.
Mr Dwyer became heavily involved in the annual show after retiring 15 years ago.
“You sort of do x amount when you’re young and you get more involved as you get older. You put your time into it,” Mr Dwyer said.
RAS President, Robert Ryan, said Mr Dwyer epitomised the spirit of the Show.
“If Tom can help with something he will, he is a huge supporter of the Show and is not only our Show Legend but also a legend within his home community and the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC),” Mr Ryan said.
“He is always happy to lend a hand, whether that be by supplying extra fruit and vegetables to various parts of the Show or advice on competitions. He is the Court Organiser for Western Districts and always greets everyone with a smile and story.”
The annual Show Legend award has recognised outstanding service and commitment to the Show since 2001.
It serves as an opportunity for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) to publicly thank a member of the Show Family who has worked tirelessly towards the betterment of the Show and aims to continue the tradition by helping the Legend pass on their knowledge to the next generation of Show Family members.
Commenting on his latest Royal Show success, Mr Dwyer said it is a shared award.
“You never get an award by yourself, it is the people that support you that give you these awards.”
He said his wife Marie, who was back home in Forbes during the ceremony, was thrilled with his achievements.
“Of course I want to thank my wife, she is not able to be here today because she is in hospital”, Mr Dwyer told RAS Media on the day of the presentation.
After last year’s devastating crop loss from flooding, Mr Dwyer was proud his hometown was getting national media attention for something brighter.
“It’s always nice to wave the local banner – a lot of good produce comes out of the Forbes district for the Sydney show,” he said.
Just two days after the Easter Show rapped up, Mr Dwyer began organising next year’s event.
“I have already started preparations for next year. The paddocks are all plowed up and ready to sow,” he said.
Mr Dwyer’s Royal Easter Show achievements include:
- Steward at the Sydney Royal Grain judging competition for the past 10 years
- Provided grain samples for the Grain judging competition for the past 10 years
- Provided a wool mural feature for the Food Farm at the 2013 Show
- Provided all the grains and sheafs of different grasses and grains to decorate the Grain Shed Education Centre at the Sydney Royal
- Awarded a 35 years RAS Service Award in 2012
- Volunteer of the Western Districts Exhibit for four weeks at the Sydney Royal Easter Show every year
- Grown, collected and prepared grain samples for the past 34 years
- Grown, collected and prepared clovers and grasses for the last 10 years
- Grains co-ordinator for the last 14 years for Western District Exhibit
- Guest speaker at several Rotary city and country meetings speaking about the District Exhibits.
Agricultural Societies Council of NSW
- Introduced a crop judging competition for school students which was run over a six-year period with the ASC/RAS
- Introduced a Dryland Field durum competition, which has been very successful for the last eight years
- ASC delegate or director for the past 10 years
- Coordinator of the ASC Dryland Field Wheat competition and with the aid of Paul Parker, improved the competition by turning it into four regions of judging so that all crops are at the same maturity at judging
- With Paul Parker introduced the NAB Excellence in Farming Award, which was won by farmers who have great farming management skills
- Received the ASC Presidents award in 2011 for commitment and dedication.
