To be elected president of this society is an honour to hold in this community.

Thank you to Frank Irving, past president, for leading the team for the last two years.

The 140th show is the culmination of 12 months careful planning and preparation by our talented sub-committees.

We are commemorating the 140th Bega Show by a special section in the photography – so everyone in the Valley is invited to dig into their archives and submit photos of previous shows.

A major project by the society in the last few months has been the renovation, cleaning and painting of the pavilion.

We must thank Charlie Bell, head of the building and grounds committee, as well as his loyal band of helpers from the pavilion committee for seeing this project was finished in time – even working over the Christmas holidays.

In addition to the show, the pavilion will also be used for the Zone 3 Showgirl dinner and presentation on February 23.

The large pavilion is proving invaluable to the community as it is the only venue within Bega to be able to hold a large function.

The community events held recently include weddings, book launches, ceremonies, book fairs, debutante balls and antique auctions.

It has also been a safe venue for concerts for kids and an ideal venue for the expo run by Bega Cheese as well as the South East Producers field day. 

Some new features at the 2013 Far South Coast National Show will be the return of harness racing, a prime lamb competition and a local food utilisation section in the pavilion.

With the support of the Canberra, Goulburn and Nowra harness clubs we are thrilled to see the reintroduction of harness racing.

Bringing back this event has been a challenge but we hope to be rewarded with a great competition and crowds.

With the increase in sheep numbers in the Valley because of their use as fireweed control and suitability for small holdings, prime lambs will be here in force this year.

The other new section, local food utilisation, should prove popular with the support of the South Coast Producers Association members.

The normal diverse range of talents will be shown off with all the old favourite sections - dairy cattle, beef cattle, poultry, angora and dairy goats, all pavilion sections; cakes and flowers to fruit and vegetables and photography.

Good luck to all entrants as well as to the Showgirl contestants.

The horse section has benefitted from the huge Bega Showjumping Cup over Christmas with all the poles and wings freshly painted.

We look forward to some great showjumping.

The entertainment committee has an action-packed weekend planned for the three days and nights.

These include the FMX freestyle motocross team, fireworks, demolition derby, woodchopping, pet show, animal nursery, street theatre, sideshow alley and old machinery display.

A new feature will be the RAS Young Farmer challenge with teams from throughout the region showing off their abilities in fencing, stacking hay or other rural skills.

Finally, a big thank you to all the volunteers.

The Far South Coast National Show would not run smoothly without the help of the volunteers.

Thank you to the wonderful committee for you comradeship, your support and your endeavour to have a successful show.

There are always lots of questions to answer, letters to write, phone calls and internet messages to answer, so to Narelle, our secretary and her helpers, another big thank you.

To Alan, our caretaker who has arrived in Bega to find heaps of jobs at the showground, your skills and dedication are appreciated.

Here’s to some pleasant weather and an enjoyable show!

- Norm Pearce