Image of Rodney Kerr from Southern Districts Exhibition Committee, outside the Southern Districts winning display for Best Produce at the Agricultural Exhibition in the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome. Image taken by Rosh Veerabangsa
A Celebration of NSW’s best produce on display
The Districts Exhibits at the Sydney Royal Easter Show is a major highlight, featuring enormous displays of local produce from across NSW. It is a collaborative effort showcasing the work of agricultural communities across NSW, attracting large crowds every year. The three-dimensional display consists of more than 10,000 pieces of local produce. The first Districts Exhibits display was staged in 1876 and in 1911 the first shield was presented. The four districts or Courts comprise of Central, Northern, Southern and Western and is made up of community volunteers. The produce judging occurs over six days prior to the show opening and involves over fifty judges.
I spoke with Rodney Kerr from Southern Districts outside the Southern Display in the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome. Southern Districts has won first prize, receiving the grand district competition shield for its produce from many categories. The produce on display comes directly from the producers or farmers including fruit and vegetables, grains, wool & livestock such as sheep or cattle which will be judged at the show in front of the stand or in the dome, animal judging occurs in the animal pavilions. The competition covers many areas of different produce; each produce receives a point score which is tallied; the southern district has been the top scorer and best exhibitor of the four produce courts in 2025.
The Southern District boundary goes from Parramatta River in Sydney, South to Victorian border to South of Broken Hill to South Australian border. I learnt from Rodney that I am part of the Southern Districts region. Cotton from Southern Districts has won first prize. Rodney Kerr explained to me how cotton is put though a mini gin which separates the seed from the fibre, the seed is harvested from the cotton and weighed. The judge will assess the fibre for quality and strength, its purity and colour. Southern has done very well in Grains section. Grains from Riverina, Griffth, Southwest Slopes scored very well. Rodney says the good quality soil; good weather has contributed to the success. Soil and weather conditions change seasonally. Climate changes every year and farms are managed on a season-to-season basis using parameters and conditions. Drier seasons with lack of rain affect produce and is managed accordingly. This Shield prize is a big win for all the southern farmers. The numerous farms in the Southern Districts should be very proud of this achievement.
Source: Rodney Kerr
Source: https://www.rasnsw.com.au/competitions/food-beverage-and-produce/district-exhibit-details/
