Show and sportsground committee members have been hard at work restoring the former grandstand and dairy cattle pavilion to house this year’s animal nursery.

Show president Dugald Alison said committee member,  along with Des Hopson and Owen Nicholson from the sportsground committee, had been working on the historic building since the beginning of September.

“The animal nursery moved from the old chook shed into the cattle pavilion last year,” he said.

“Ian McDougal has been running the nursery for the past few years and it has grown considerably.

“He has shown a lot of enthusiasm and has some great ideas, so we decided to get behind him.

“We’ve revamped the whole shed and done a lot of repairs including replacing 14 poles and a wall as well as creating a new entrance on the southern side which has been cemented for wheelchair access.

“LED lighting has been installed inside as well as new guttering.

“Every year Ian has grown the nursery and there is always something new.

“This year the children will be able to milk a cow and there will also be a shearing demonstration both in the pavilion and out in the ring.

“There will also be an historical display of old dairying gear which is being organised by Emmy Neilson.”

Des Hopson from the showground committee thanked Jack Alison and Matt Anderson for their hard work.

“They had the right gear to do the job,” he said.

“We also had people who donated iron and timber which helped out enormously.”

A new stage has also been built on the flat area above the northern bar.

In past years the committee had to get a curtain-sided truck for the band to perform on, but they were getting harder and harder to come by.

“The only one we could find this year was at Gloucester and we have to drive someone up there to pick it up and then back again the next day,” Dugald said.

“So we decided to build our own which will enable bands to perform and concerts be held for other events such as the rodeo.

“We have installed weatherproof electrical and water outlets at the back of the stage which can also be used for caravans.

“The construction was backed by the showground committee, passed by council and is available for everyone to use.”

The centre ring will be a hive of activity once again this year with mini-bike trick riding by Ramp It.

They will have three sessions on Saturday while the inagurual talent quest will be held the morning.

The popular dog jump, children’s games, working dog demonstration, post splitting and two demolition derby demonstrations will provide entertainment throughout the afternoon and night.

Campdrafting and horse events will be held on Friday and the finals of the campdraft will be held on Saturday afternoon.

The show will be officially opened by this year’s Dungog Shire Citizen of the Year Margot Capp.