General News
19 May, 2026
Neill Earthmoving Nyngan Show success with welcome rain!
Rain doesn't deter showgoers for the 133rd Annual Neill Earthmoving Nyngan Show
The 133rd Neill Earthmoving Nyngan Show will be remembered for the weather front which broke a prolonged dry spell bringing great joy to local farmers but presented some challenges for the organising committee.
Around 60mm of rain fell on Nyngan over the two days of the show, forcing the cancellation of some key events including the fireworks, team barrel race, and the sheep counting – but not the rodeo, horse events, and the sideshows.
President Laughlin Ross was concerned the high fuel prices and the dry season would be the biggest challenge for his committee this year but in the end, it was the rain which dampened the crowd numbers – if not the enthusiasm.
Mr Ross led a minute of silence for the late Ray Donald OAM, former mayor of the Bogan shire and a long-time supporter of the show.
Afterwards Di Donald – a long time pavilion steward - was presented with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Award for “substantial and selfless service to the local community and committed support for the Nyngan Show”, which she also accepted on behalf of Mr Donald.
Steven Read, who has worked as a ring steward for many years, was presented with a life membership of the Nyngan Show.
President of AgShows NSW, Jill Chapman stepped in for a rain-bound Fiona Nash to open the show and spoke about the importance of local shows to their communities.
As usual the best of local agriculture, livestock, arts and crafts and riding talent were on display over the two days.
Dot Hicks from Girilambone maintained her impressive Pavilion record, winning the SD Wye Trophy as most successful exhibitor as well as the Nance Temple Memorial Trophy for winning the most points across the flowers, needlework and cooking/preserves sections.
Anthony Gibson was the most successful exhibitor in the farm produce section and Tom and Margot Elder won the Australian Wheat Board Golden Grain cup for the best wheat sample.
Annie Quarmby was most successful exhibitor in the floral art and the preserves; Nerida Wright took the top honours in adult cooking, whilst Polly and Florence Cleaver won the child section; Lyn Quinton was most successful in the fine arts; and Nyngan Public School won the garden produce main awards.
Cobar-based Tambua stud won the major awards in the Merion judging, and also took out the grand champion fleece award in the wool pavilion. Andrew McGrath, representing “Wamboin”, and Don Hamblin were the most successful fleece exhibitors from the black and red soil districts respectively.
In the prime lamb judging, the Gadsby family exhibited the best pen of Dorset or Border cross lambs; the Hoare family of “Bel Air” showed the best Merino/SAMM or Dohne cross as well as the best over 50kg crossbred in the hoof-to-hook division; and the Kennedy family of “Killarney” had the best dorper cross pen. The Kennedys at “Benah” had the best pen of lighter lambs in the hoof-to hook.
Following the lamb judging the hoof-to-hook lambs were auctioned, raising almost $6000 which was given to local charity, CanAssist.
In the horse events local rider Ella Kilmartin showed the supreme local hack and was most successful showjumping rider in the junior classes. Jameson Bush was most successful rider under 17; Jameson and his mother Angie won the Russell Herbert Memorial trophy for parent and own family riding; and Victorian Jake Tomlinson was most successful open showjumper.
In the speed shear, Whanahe Whare just outclassed popular local Matt Selfe to take the Chris Elder Memorial Trophy for the best open shearer.
The sheep counting event was cancelled due to the rain, but a new event – sheep racing – did take place.