THEY say when it rains it pours, and that was certainly the case for life memberships at the Bengalla Upper Hunter Show as six new ones were handed out at the weekend.
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At the official opening on Saturday, it was revealed that after half a decade without awarding anyone the honour, the floodgates had opened and several loyal servants of the show would receive their pins.
Mary Bowman, Lyn Collard, Ardell Freeman, Jenny Webster and Helen and Robert Milwain were recognised for their efforts throughout the years.
Mrs Bowman has been involved in many different areas of the show, ranging back to the 1970s, having made a difference to the pavilion, the ladies auxiliary and the showgirl competition.
Described as a jack of all trades, Mrs Collard's put her hand up for a large variety of roles during her time with the society and been instrumental in the setting up of many events in the past.
Ms Freeman has had an almost unimaginable impact on the pavilion, having taken it from an area that just included a few trading stalls to an arts and crafts centre that includes up to 1800 entries per year.
Upper Hunter Show Society president Keith Googe, who presented the life memberships, spoke about the multiple talents that the Milwains possessed.
"Helen is the cook of all cooks and her services and work in all areas of this show as well as catering has been well accepted," he said.
"He's [Robert] been a hard working committee man for a long time and Robert has also watered the showground for more than 50 years."
Arguably the most influential of the lot was Mrs Webster, who started working with the show in the 1980s in the cookery section with her mother.
Since then she has helped run the pavilion with Ms Freeman, became honorary secretary for 12 years between 2002 and 2014 and even held the role of president in 1995, not to mention her entry as a showgirl in 1978.
Mr Googe said there was no second guessing the decision to reward all of the recipients for the impact they've had on the show.
"These were obvious candidates, long overdue," he explained.
"We just had to look through who's been standing up and doing a lot throughout our history and not been recognised and the six names came up.
"They've been exceptional.
"Some of them have been involved for 40-plus plus years, some in official positions.
"They really put in a lot of their own time to make this stay afloat."
The incredible contribution of all six of the new life members are certainly impressive on an individual level and collectively have made an indescribable difference to the Upper Hunter Show; and their recognition is a true testament to their efforts.