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24 March, 2026
Wet weather doesn’t dampen enthusiasm for 140th Camden Show
Thunderstorms and forecast heavy rain on Saturday did not dampen the enthusiasm of showgoers for the 2026 Camden Show. GALLERY with photos by Antony Dubber, Brett Atkins and Harvey Emerton.
Thunderstorms and forecast heavy rain on Saturday did not dampen the enthusiasm of showgoers for the 2026 Camden Show.
Their motto ‘Still a Country Show’ rings true, given that they are the last bastion of country shows before the encroachment into the city of Sydney.
Over the two days of the show they recorded 48,700 visitors, with a visit by NSW Premier Chris Minns as well as local Labor Member for Camden, Sally Quinnell and Member for Hume and Federal Leader of the Opposition, Angus Taylor attending this year’s show.
“We also had almost 500 (there were approximately 467) volunteers behind the scenes setting everything up and who will take it all down again afterwards,” one of the show Vice Presidents, Kent Palmer told The Southern Wire.
“It’s thanks to them that this show keeps going each and every year.
“I always like to say that Camden is where the city meets the country, and what we have here is a beautiful traditional country show where you can get close to all the animals and chat to all the exhibitors, whereas at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, it’s just so big and you can’t really get to know everyone there like you can here.
“You can really get to know your neighbour that lives only a few kilometres away from you, and with the urban sprawl that’s come out to Western Sydney, this show just highlights the heart and soul of where Sydney came from – agriculture started here in Camden, and it’s just great to share that with everyone.”
Mr. Palmer also said that the show was extremely popular with local schools and colleges, who were able to get in for free all day on Friday.
“We had just over 5,500 school students come to the show for free,” Mr. Palmer said.
“They had an amazing time just getting up close to agriculture and to see where all their food comes from – this is one thing we like to show the future generations - that food is just more than walking into Woolies and taking it off the shelf, and they can actually see where it’s coming from.”
Mr. Palmer also outlined his favourite exhibit of the show, which he agreed might have been many others’ favourite, too.
“I’m biased, but probably my favourite one was Charlie the Brahman steer – he's beautiful and he’s been walking around the grounds with Gary and Robyn his handlers,” Mr. Palmer said.
“Charlie’s this huge Brahman bull that you can get up close to and pat – I witnessed yesterday a lady that came in from Liverpool, and she was patting Charlie and she was like ‘I’ve never touched a cow before in my life!’ - those type of interactions we get with the general public are just amazing.”
Show Society President David Dunbier expressed his pride in the event’s resilience and the unwavering loyalty of the local community, even during the impending thunderstorm, which thankfully managed to skirt around the Camden Showgrounds and head further north.
"We were truly blessed this weekend. Watching that Saturday storm part around the Camden Showground was a sight to behold. It was as if the weather gods knew how much this 140th anniversary meant to us," said Mr. Dunbier.
"To have the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, and our local Member here to celebrate with us shows that the Camden Show is a tradition that will continue long into the future. The community support we have seen this year confirms that we are more than just an event. We are the soul of the Macarthur region, and I look forward to many more successful years ahead."
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