St John’s College Students Lend a Hand at the Sydney Royal Easter Show: Connecting Rural and City Life

Each year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show attracts thousands of visitors to celebrate Australia’s rural traditions, from its world-renowned agricultural competitions to the excitement of carnival rides, showbags and fireworks.

But beyond the crowds and the competitions, many people don’t realise the hard work that goes into making this iconic event happen, and the opportunity for students of St John’s College to be a part of this magnificent annual fixture on our calendars.

St John’s College has long been a home for students with rural backgrounds, and this year, our students have once again embraced the opportunity to not only showcase their passions and heritage, but also to reconnect with their agricultural roots.

Metropolitan students at St John’s, on the other hand, gain invaluable exposure to life in rural Australia. By gaining unique experiences alongside their rural peers, they learn firsthand about the significance of agriculture, the resilience of Australian farmers, and the importance of maintaining a connection to the land. It’s an experience that offers a new level of appreciation for the country’s rich agricultural traditions. Listening to the stories of farmers, exhibitors, and competitors has given them a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities and a renewed respect for the resilience and determination of those who work the land.

This year, St John’s students have been involved in many facets of the Show, including stewarding in the horse, cattle, dogs and veterinary sections, as well as direct hands-on experience with many other animal exhibitions and working closely with Easter Show veterinarians.

For some of our students, it has been an opportunity to gain practical experience in event management and learn about the behind-the-scenes operations of a world-class event, which I have no doubt will benefit our upcoming social events!

For the third consecutive year, a group of students from St John’s College had the exciting opportunity to judge and steward over 45 carnival rides at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. This was also the first time they were given the chance to also judge the showbags.

The three student judges were first-year students Charlotte Wilson (Mudgee), Audrey Hogg (Albury), and Evie Cassel (Port Macquarie). The judging criteria covered various aspects such as Presentation, Thrill, Staff Engagement, and Ride Satisfaction, with categories for both children and adults. I am pleased to report that there were no incidents of fainting or sickness once again!

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is not just a celebration of the past and present of Australian agriculture: it’s a chance to inspire future leaders, foster connections, and teach the next generation the value of our rural community. For the students of St John’s College, it’s more than just a show; it’s a chance to bridge the gap between the city and the bush, forging relationships and memories that will last a lifetime.

I am incredibly proud of all those students for dedicating their time to assist the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. It is very pleasing to see our rural students as well as our metropolitan students continue to contribute to the success of this outstanding event.

I would like to thank Mr John Bennett OAM, President of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and all the Councillors and staff for their support of our student program. It was an honour for them to be welcomed by the President of the RAS of NSW into the President’s Suite and for all the generosity he shows to our College community.

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector