But, says Brett Nies, many people had taken to Facebook to whinge about the cost of entry and cost of sideshow alley rides at the show – which was held on Friday and Saturday.

Mr Nies, acting president of the Tamworth Pastoral & Agricultural Association, said it was a good show this year.

“I think crowd numbers were on a par with last year, but the number of entries and people having a go were up,” he said.

The pavilion was “brilliant” and there were nearly 400 entries in the poultry.

“There were a lot of kids there with their poultry. That’s what it’s about – the community having a go at their own show,” Mr Nies said. 

Pavilion chief steward Lorraine Staniland said the standard overall was very good and that entries from nursing home residents was up.

“The standard of junior art and craft was incredible this year,” Mrs Staniland said.

The Sustainability Expo organiser Stephanie Cameron said the inclusion of the expo in the show for the first time in its seven-year history was “fantastic”.

“I think it went really well. We loved being down with the plants and all the flower shows (near the pavilion),” Mrs Cameron said.

She and Mr Nies both think more community groups should be asked to participate in future shows as it helped a wider section of the community get involved and boosted numbers within their respective groups.

“Hopefully, this is the start of community groups and community activities into the show – I think it should become more of a community show,” Mrs Cameron said.

“Tamworth Organic Gardeners got a lot of new members and sold a lot of plants (by being in the expo).”

Mr Nies said better sponsorship was on offer this year for the cattle and sheep sections, with up to 80 head of cattle judged, but pig numbers remained much the same as last year.

“We’re happy with how it went, given the economic and climatic conditions – a lot of people have been in drought for a long time and it costs so much to keep your stock in show condition and transport them there,” Mr Nies said.

He said he would stand for the president’s role when the AGM was held later this year and was extremely heartened that several people had asked him whether they could join the committee.

He was not disappointed that only three girls entered the senior showgirl competition for the Tamworth Show but was thrilled seven had entered the junior showgirl competition. 

“It’s not about numbers – it’s about quality,” Mr Nies said.

Six rings of led horses and hacks kept the interest of spectators on the Saturday at the showground, with the show-jumping held at the Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre.

He said the whingers on Facebook should ask themselves where else could you find so much going on for the entry price being asked and that the prices set at sideshow alley had nothing to do with show organisers.

“The Showman’s Guild set their own prices: it has nothing to do with the Tamworth Pastoral & Agricultural Association,” he said. 

“If you’ve got something negative to say don’t put it on Facebook – stand up on your own hind legs ... and have your say (at an upcoming meeting).

“Have a think about what you can do and we’ll think about what we can do and see about turning it into a positive.”