
Food and bar rosters were filled all weekend by our fantastic bunch of volunteers. Without people putting their hand up to help the community they live in by doing a roster or two, the show cannot go ahead. All proceeds from the weekend go back into the Kukerin community where and when required, and has produced some wonderful additions and improvements to our town and sporting facilities over the years.
A highlight of this year’s show was Graeme ‘Barney’ Smith being awarded Life Membership to the Kukerin Agricultural Society. Barney has been a contributor, stalwart, President and bouncer for our show for over 40 years – what an impressive commitment! Current President John Davidson presented Barney with a framed certificate and had the following to say about him…..
Life Membership – Graeme ‘Barney’ Smith
For over the past 40 years, Barney Smith has been an integral part of the Kukerin Ag Society. Barney has seen an interesting variety of people come through the gates of the then Kukerin Trac Mach and the now Kukerin Creekbed and Burnout Competition.
Barney has been a renowned Barman/Bar Manager for the society for many years. Familiar with a thing or two about the crowd, he is to this day, still the man for the job. Always willing to put up his hand for the grave yard bar shift from his first rodeo many moons ago; 2019 made no exceptions with our friends in blue/liquor licensing here, but Barney was there to butter them up - quote “it’s the first year I’ve had to drink Milo behind the bar this late at night”.
When the Trac Mach became extinct, Barney played an important role in keeping the event going and evolving, and is still here today making sure it’s running. Barney spent 5 years as the Society President overseeing large projects such as the pavilion upgrade, and now as a committee member has assisted with the new storage shed facility and many other ground improvements.
All these years don’t come without a fair share of stories that our friend Barney has seen or played a part in. Barney isn’t one to let a person off lightly when they take the “highway option”, Barney will soon show them his way, including the visitors that learnt the hard way when they decided to burn a campfire you could see from the moon. Barney soon extinguished said fire with the use of the water cannon off the fire truck - next time they will do as they are asked!
It’s been many years that we've had a working relationship with the local establishment, but don’t worry. Who needs the police when you have Barney around, ready to deal with anything that comes his way? Barney, who is known for his stern word, was quite happy to take on the bikies himself. Don’t be fooled - I think it would have taken a few deep breaths - but he got there in the end!
Thank you Barney for your outstanding contributions over the years. Without people like you, we wouldn’t still be standing here today awarding you this certificate.
Please raise your glasses, as we award Barney Smith the Kukerin Ag Society Life Membership.
Article Supplied by Susi Leo