Alongside the traditional petting zoo, show judging, stalls and fun, there was something different at the Neville Show this weekend: a book launch.
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Russell Hodge isn’t a Neville local but has been travelling back and forth to the hamlet for more than two decades, and chose to launch his book – ‘The Oldest Student at the Sorbonne’ as a fundraiser for the public school.
The launch raised $540, which principal Tracy Blattman said would be up to students to dictate what they wanted it spent on, with the vegetable garden an early front-runner.
Mr Hodge’s book is a memoir which delves deep into his struggles with mental illness which left him homeless.
The book tracks his life after retiring from being a well-off lawyer to mental struggles, leading to a voyage to France and studying at the famed Sorbonne – despite no knowledge of the French language.
Depressed and alone, Mr Hodge delved into his past for inspiration and understanding as he tried to make sense of his life in Paris before returning home.
However, he felt overwhelmed and fled his home, leaving everything behind to live on the streets of Sydney, where he learns to survive before checking himself into a psychiatric hospital.
Signing books at the show, Mr Hodge said his story “resonated with many people that spoke to me”.
“Mental illness is a severe issue in the area at the moment due to the horrendous conditions created by the drought,” he said.
“I am hoping that my book can help some people see a way forward.”
The show itself was the “best yet”, according to organisers, with 2018 the ninth year of the annual event.
The exhibits included craft, cooking, photography, flowers, vegetables, cattle, horses, pet show, dog agility, dog high jump and the ute and tractor competitions.
Show society member Michelle Dowsett said numbers were up after the “cracking weather” on the day, which made a nice counter-point to the 2017 show, which was washed out.
The crowd was entertained by Casey McFarlane, EmDance performances, the wandering magician and the small engines club of Bathurst, with Ms Dowsett saying “there was plenty to see, eat and do on the day”.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole officially opened the show and presented founding Show committee volunteer and tireless worker Raelene Wong with a Royal Agricultural Society medallion for her efforts over the past 9 years.
“It was a great and rare achievement to be awarded with this medallion,” Ms Dowsett said.
She also said the Neville Show society wanted like to thank all the committee members for their tireless efforts both leading up to and on show day and the Blayney High School students for their help in setting up, as well as the many and varied sponsors of the Show, who Ms Dowsett said “support us each year”.
She also wanted to thank the entertainment from local performers, all the judges and exhibitors, our photographer and “of course, all the people who took the time to experience of Show”.