Show Society president Beryl Gibbons gave the assurance this week following turmoil in the Bathurst AH&P Society.

Last month a difference of opinion between members of the Bathurst AH&P Society council boiled over

into the resignations of several key officials.

The president, executive secretary, two show council members and office staff all quit in a rift over the show's direction and the belief the show was possibly moving away from its charter.

“I don't know all the details of the Bathurst difficulties, but I suppose it is sometimes easy to be persuaded into diversions and fads, which are not in keeping with the traditions and character of a country show,” she said.

“That doesn't mean we should stand still or not be up-to-date, but Bathurst should be a timely reminder that all the traditions ... are why [country shows]are the long-standing mainstay event of our rural communities.

“In other words, we have to stick to our knitting.

“We have to remember that we are a show concentrating on aspects of country life, which boils down to all the various fields of agriculture and horticulture, and the many skills which are reflected in the pavilion classes.

“This means that we have to make sure that we keep up with the interests and trends of all ages in the local community.”

Ms Gibbons said the show was

self-sustaining because the local community took an interest and contributed.

“It is the constant support and loyalty of the Oberon and district people and business houses that have made it possible for Oberon Show to have been in existence for more than a century,” she said.

Ms Gibbons said the show was always changing, but still kept its rural character.

Next year a new section would be added to the pavilion classes.

“In recent times we have brought in prime lambs, and then last year we had merinos to further strengthen our livestock classes,” she said.

“Also last year we introduced an inaugural dog obedience trial, and brought the heavy horses to add more interest to the ring program.”

Handicapped classes had also been added to pavilion sections, and

a mechanical bull ride was introduced.

Next year’s Oberon Show, the 111th, will be on February 19 and 20.