"I really felt that you can hang on too long," he said. "I could have held on for another two years to make it 40, but I really wanted to get young Ben Meek into the job because he has all the qualities of someone who can do the job well."

It may have been quite a long time ago, but Mr Nankivell recalls his first few years on the job.

"I've always loved doing the job and when I was thrown into it I said I didn't know how to handle it, but after two or three years you've got the gist of it and never once did I question myself on whether I should be doing it."

Mr Nankivell will be the first to acknowledge that he's had some tremendous support from his committees over the years, and pays kudos to the current members.

"This committee over the past five or six years has been fantastic," he said.

Over those five years the show has steadily grown both in visitor numbers and in the participation of younger people in organising the annual event.

"When you get 30 to 35 people at an ordinary general meeting you know you're doing something right," he said.

Being able to squeeze in two successful shows between COVID-19 lockdowns has meant that financially the show society is in an excellent position, and Mr Nankivell is confident that the new team will continue the path that has been laid.

To that effect Ben Meek said it is his plan to continue on with the amazing job that Mr Nankivell has achieved over nearly four decades.

"After 38 years he had it down pat pretty well," he said. "The way Phil conducts himself really inspires me to be more diplomatic than I can be at times."

Mr Meek said that the team behind the Blayney Show worked well together, and that also was down to the work of Mr Nankivell.

"Phil has brought a lot of younger people into the show society because that's where the future lies. It really is a harmonious team that respects each other and that is what Phil was able to bring," he said.

"Everyone else on the show society does the hard yards and I'll just be at the helm I guess."

Mr Meek said that the show society would continue on in its current direction as a show with a strong agricultural focus.

"We don't want it to become a small version of the Sydney Royal Show. The show will retain its agricultural focus and will also be a great social event for the whole community," he said. "Shows have always been a great place for everyone to come together, and we want that to continue."

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