Self portrait by Laurie McArthur.
First Prize in Experimental Photography, 2007

The 2007 Bega Show

Photos and Information from the Far South Coast National Show - Bega Showground and Pavilion

The Far South Coast National Show, or Bega Show, had it's beginning in 1871 with a meeting to create the society.

The first show of the Far South Coast Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society was held in 1873. This was a ploughing contest between two local families, held on one of the nearby river flats.

Bega Show website author, Laurie McArthur, has a history of entering in the photography section dating from around 1989. Laurie has a stack of Bega Show photography championship ribbons, mostly in the Black and White class but a few for champion colour print.


Aboriginal dance at Aragunnu by Laurie McArthur
First prize in Open Colour People
Champion Colour Print, 2007

To Laurie, it's important to keep in mind that the Bega Show is a country agricultural show. The competition in the photography section is generally of a good standard for such a display and there is some outstanding work.

It was entering, and winning, in the Bega Show that first gave Laurie an inkling that his black and white images had merit in the eyes of competent judges.

Over the years there has been considerable happy family rivalry for the champion photography ribbons, with daughter, Enid, winning the champion black and white print when still in high school. In more recent times, wife, Lesley, has taken numerous top honors for her moody, colour landscapes and even once for a black and white environmental portrait.


David Hede, independent candidate for the state seat of Bega, pictured at the Bega Show with a trio of scare crows.

So it's been with a sense of belonging that laurie has wandered around the 2007 Bega Show, photographing the people who work so hard to make it a success and those who have so much fun.

Here's a fun photo that shows how important it is for aspiring politicians, doing the rounds of the showgrounds, to choose carefully with whom they hang out.