While the Royal Bathurst Show brings a buzz of excitement to the city, it’s just another busy weekend for showmen.
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Showmen’s Guild of Australasia executive committee member John Roberts arrived in Bathurst this week and he and other showmen have been working hard to prepare for this year’s show.
Mr Roberts has been attending the Royal Bathurst Show for over 20 years, back when he was still at school, and has witnessed the event’s growth.
“Bathurst is showing a lot of growth. The show is growing and is supported by the community,” he said.
“It’s evident on the day, with the agriculture, the sheep and cattle all from the community. It’s not always the case at other shows.”
Mr Roberts said the guild puts a huge investment in amusement.
“I reckon there’s about $40 million worth of amusement down here. There is probably a couple of rides that cost over $1 million each.”
Collectively, members of the guild own over 300 major rides and nearly 600 rides for children.
One showman, Chippa Chant, owns several of the rides that will be on offer at this year’s Royal Bathurst Show, including the popular Rock Star ride.
Showmen were kept busy on Thursday, when rain derailed work on Wednesday.
Mr Roberts explained how the Showmen’s Guild works and how it came about.
“The guild was established by a group of independent showmen, in Orange, 109 years ago, a week after the Bathurst Show,” he said.
“We used to have our head office in Pitt Street, Sydney, but it has since moved Yatala in Queensland.”
Countrywide, the many showmen of the guild help generate millions of dollars for towns and cities.
This year’s Royal Bathurst Show will open its gates on Friday morning, for the first day of action, at 9am.