Local MP Luke Hartsuyker did a whistle-stop tour of the premier event, and he made special mention of both Kempsey High School and Akubra.

“I was particularly impressed by the efforts of some local schools who entered animals and projects in a number of competitions,” the Cowper MP said.

“I had the privilege to announce Hastings Secondary College, Port Macquarie Campus, as the second place winner for their project in the high school poultry competition. This competition has grown in recent years to include more than 80 schools from around the State.

“Along with their cattle, Kempsey High School also had some very well-conditioned pigs on display in the pork and goat pavilion.

“And naturally, Akubra of Kempsey had a very strong presence both on many farmers’ heads and in the retail marketplace at the show.”

Mr Hartsuyker said he had visited the Royal on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, to launch a new suite of educational resources for schools.

“While I was at the show I was very impressed with the range of displays and competition entries from Northern NSW,” he said.

“The coastal region of northern NSW produces some of the finest agricultural produce anywhere in the world, including beef, dairy, and horticultural products, with many examples of this produce on display.

“The agricultural produce display in the Fresh Food Dome was exceptional, with extraordinary attention to detail evident. Northern District Exhibit manager Arthur Johns led a team of volunteers who spent many long days arranging a wide variety of high quality North Coast produce on the huge 70 square metre display.

“I was only at the show for a few hours, but it would be easy to spend a couple of days enjoying the displays and competitions at the show, which were of exceptional quality.”

The Royal Easter Show wraps up on Wednesday.