The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (14:13): I celebrate the return of country shows. While Sydneysiders look forward to the Royal Easter Show this year, it is the country shows which truly showcase the virtues of regional and rural New South Wales. Where I live, in Guyra, in northern New South Wales, our show is coming up on 16 and 17 February, celebrating 116 years. February is certainly the month for country shows around the State. Within the next two weeks there will be shows in Glen Innes, Dunedoo, Cobargo, Nowra, Henty, Crookwell, Oberon, Bega, Gundagai, Kangaroo Valley, Gulgong, Maitland and Ashford. What better way is there to showcase how rural and regional New South Wales is the lifeblood of the State when it comes to bountiful produce?

Country shows are an ingrained part of Australian society, with the first one held in Hobart in 1822, the next in Sydney the following year and then spreading to 580 regional shows throughout the country. I love the annual show in Guyra. One of the highlights is the Guyra Long Lunch, which includes cooking displays using local produce, and of course our famous men's cake cooking and decorating competition. It is a hoot. Already the local social media is flooded with baking and decorating content in the lead-up to the event. The men who enter the event are fiercely competitive, with a "take no prisoners" attitude. And we love it.

I tend to believe that for these blokes it is a form of therapy. It is great that they have an opportunity to embrace a softer side, with talk in the pubs, clubs, saleyards and woolsheds turning to frosting, butter cream and how to achieve the fluffiest sponge cake. The reality is these country shows, and this competition in particular, highlight a healthy creative outlet and the chance for the community to come together and celebrate all the reasons why we choose to live a rural lifestyle. I place on the record that the continuation of these country shows is thanks to the tireless efforts of many selfless volunteers. In short, it is a time to let your hair down. A day at the show is a great day out and proves that you can have your cake and eat it too.