If you want something done, ask someone busy! That about sums up Bec Cope.

Rural Property NSW is a proud sponsor of Narrabri Show and every year we are amazed by the quality of the event run by a small band of very hard-working people.  One of the stalwarts of the committee is Bec Cope, and she very kindly answered a few questions about her involvement.

How long have you been involved with Narrabri Show and the wider “show” movement.  What prompted you to become involved?

"I’ve been a part of the Narrabri Show committee since October 2014, when I was elected as a Vice President, although I was previously involved with Quirindi Show.  A sense of community involvement and contribution is what inspired me to join both Show Societies.

Since 2014 I’ve been Vice President, Showgirl/Young Woman Coordinator, stable convenor, baby steward, novelty events steward, whip cracking steward, public officer, assisted with social media, managed and been bar licensee. Oh, and I’m currently the secretary!

At a regional/group level I have been the Agricultural Society Council (ASC) of NSW Next Gen Delegate for group 14 since 2019.  Next Gen reps encourage and support youth in the NSW ag shows."

What is the best part of being on the show committee?

"The satisfaction of seeing a years' worth of planning come to fruition - there’s many long hours and sleepless nights. Meeting people from all walks of life and forming unlikely friendships and connections with individuals you may have never met otherwise is a real pleasure."

What is your favourite aspect/s of the Show and why?

"I am biased, but I really enjoy meeting and getting to know the entrants of the Showgirl/Young Woman Competition. Seeing each young woman grow and come into her own is rewarding beyond words."

You were a Zone 4 Winner and Showgirl Finalist in 2013, a Rural Achiever Finalist in 2017. What opportunities do you think these competitions offer to young people?

"They offer a wealth of opportunities for personal development, networking and self-confidence building. The sharing of ideas with like-minded individuals, forming lifelong friendships and connections is also extremely valuable.

Personally, these competitions have assisted me with building my professional career and my succession into the ASC."

You were recently elected as board member of AgShows NSW (ASC). Congratulations! What does the position involve and what you are hoping to achieve.

"My role is twofold.  I've been elected as a delegate for group 14 which represents show societies in our region. The role of delegate is focused on representing the best interests of group 14, and liaise between the ASC and our local show committees.

My second role is as a director/board member for the ASC.

First and foremost, my hope is to represent my supporters who elected me to the best of my abilities. Secondly, I hope to bring a fresh perspective to AgShows NSW, as historically the average age of directors was over 60 for some time. In recent years there has been an influx of new directors under 40, giving more diversity to the board.

I would like to contribute to the reinvigoration of Showgirl/Young Woman competition.  I feel while the name change to Young Woman competition is a step in the right direction but there is still plenty more work to be done. I’d like to see the competition modernised, while keeping important traditional aspects."

Agricultural shows have been around for a long time. How do you see them evolving?

"I feel the geography/locality of shows has a large influence on the ratio of traditional to modern. Shows in metropolitan areas are becoming more like a fair, due to the expectations and demands of patrons. Our regional shows, by comparison, are keeping the majority of their traditional events whilst also incorporating the modern entertainment.

The way shows evolve will largely come down to the committees and how they envisage their show."

What are the greatest challenges facing agricultural shows like Narrabri?

"Volunteers, the same as for many organisations. I’ve noticed over the years it’s become harder to attract individuals to be involved in a community group. You find those that volunteer with one organisation tend to do so with others as well. As the saying goes ‘want something done, ask the busiest person in the room’.

Succession planning is a key motivator of ASC Next Gen. We are about encouraging, supporting and recognising the next generation of agricultural shows.

Committees need to ensure they have a succession plan to ensure the longevity of ag shows. In 2014 the Narrabri Show Society nearly folded due to a committee not forming at the August AGM. An extraordinary meeting was held in the October in the hope to form a committee and thankfully members of our community rallied and a committee formed.  That was my first year on the committee."

We wish Bec every success with her new role at state level and a debt of gratitude for her continuing involvement at Narrabri Show.

Pic: Bec Cope stewarding at the Sydney Royal Easter Show (since 2019)