Lynne Mowbray

After many years at the helm, Maclean Show Society president Brian Ferrie stepped aside at last week’s AGM, handing over the reins to vice-president Robbie Sutherland. 

Brian told the Independent that he had only intended on staying president for two years, and he’s still here 16 years later.

“I enjoyed every bit of it,” said Brian.

“I probably would have kept going, but at the grand old age of 82 it’s getting hard to get around, so I decided not to seek it (re-election) again.

Brian said that when he first joined, the Show Society was in dire straits financially.

“After a few years we were able to get these RV’s going here (RV campers at the showground) and they’ve really got us going,” he said.

“Prior to that, the thing that kept us going was Bruce Green, with his ‘Man from Snowy River’ show, and that got things going for quite a few years,” he said.

Brian wished the Show Society all the best in the future and knows that they will power ahead.

“It’s been a great committee for all those 16 years, and we’ve always achieved whatever we needed to achieve. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be hanging about – I’ve been here all my life,” he said.

Robbie Sutherland said that he is stepping up into the role as president after a 24-year apprenticeship as vice-president.

“So, I sort of know what it’s all about,” said Robbie.

“I’ve been on the committee for 48 years and if I had my time all over again, I’d do it again. I’ve spent a lot of time at the showground, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely, and I hope I can keep going for a few more years.

“At our AGM the other night it was very rewarding when I sat up the front, looking at a good crowd of about 30 people and (seeing) quite a range of three generations. It’s really great and makes you feel that you’ve got to help steer the ship and keep it going when you’ve got a three-generation age group, interested enough to keep involved. We have been lucky enough to have that.  

“Other than that, all I can say is that I have big shoes to fill, in Brians.

“My involvement with the show has been more so with the bottom of the hill (on the showground) and that’s where I intend to still do a lot of my time, but I’m here to help whatever I do.

“Going back years ago, I was very involved with the showground and there was a junior rugby league carnival on here and my grandson was 8 or 9 years-old at the time. He went and played a game of rugby league and when he came back up here to the top of the hill he said, “pop, did they ask you whether they could put this on here?” He thought the showground was mine.

“I’d just like to say a big thank you to Brian for what he’s done organising the RVs and collecting the money over the years. It has been a God send to us,” he said.