Emma Pritchard

Upon entering The Barn at the Grafton Showground during the 2022 Grafton Show, the crowds will be amazed and mesmerised by the incredible number and quality of entries and exhibits they see.

Artworks have been carefully hung along the walls, floral decorations have been skilfully arranged, handicrafts and patchworks sit neatly on shelves, jars of preserves and plates of delicious homemade goodies have been strategically placed in glass cabinets, and uniquely created lifelike displays take centre stage in the middle of the floorspace.

Behind the scenes, the dedicated and hard-working volunteers of the Grafton Show have been busy preparing and setting up The Barn ahead of the annual two-day event.

Each section and category have been expertly organised, creating a sight to behold for showgoers as they walk up and down the aisles.

Chief Steward of the Pavilion Yvonne Robards said an average of 15 volunteers worked tirelessly together in The Barn for upwards of eight hours a day in the fortnight leading up to the 2022 Grafton Show, and their wonderful contributions help to make the event a success year after year.

“They all work very hard,” she said.

“Some of them have been volunteering at the Grafton Show for a long time and they all know the assorted sections back to front.

“I’m very proud of their efforts, and they should be too.”

This year, one of the main displays in The Barn which has been lovingly set up by the volunteers is an Australiana scene that has been cleverly created to commemorate early colonial life and celebrate the all-Aussie theme of being at home among the gum trees.

Featuring a contented grandma, aka mannequin, snoozing happily in her chair surrounded by Australian memorabilia, the display is expected to be very popular with showgoers this year.

Ms Robards and the volunteers of the Grafton Show wish to acknowledge and thank the Grafton Salvation Army Family Store for kindly lending them the mannequin.