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THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA
Legends of the Royal Hobart Show
Honouring our Legends..
One of the grandest traditions of the Royal Hobart Show is the annual award of the
Living Legend of the Show. It is the pre-eminent honour the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania can bestow on a living individual who has contributed to the success of the society and the Royal Hobart Show.
2025
Coming soon..
2024 - Paul Calvert
This year’s recipient is Tasmanian ex-Senator Paul Calvert AO.
Born in 1940 in Hobart to an established farming family, Paul was educated at the Friends School and left school at the age of 15 in 1956. Paul’s earliest memory of the Royal Hobart Show is sitting on the mudflap of a tractor in the grand parade.
He served as a RAST Councillor for many years from 1973 and was the Society’s President between 1987-1990. He and his wife Jill have four children.
Paul had the honour of escorting now King Charles III when he visited the Show in 1974 and also Princess Anne on her visit in 1989.
Elected to the Australian Senate in 1987, Paul served as President of the Senate from 2002-2007 when he retired from politics and returned to farming. He also served on the Senate Rural & Regional Affairs Committee as well as the Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare.
As RAST President, Paul was instrumental in the appointment of Jack Rheinberger as Director of the Society in 1988. The two first met at Canberra Airport, and one thing led to another.
Paul was made a RAST Honorary Life Member 1990, and Honorary Life Council Member 1993. He was awarded a Queen’s Birthday Honour (AO) in 2009 for service to the Australian Parliament and to the community of Tasmania, especially through local government and the agricultural show movement.
As a farmer, Paul was closely involved with rural youth and was also involved in establishing a travelling school for people following the show circuit. He was also Deputy Warden of the Municipality of Clarence (now City of Clarence) between 1981 and 1983; and was Warden (Mayor) between 1983 and 1987.
Born in 1940 in Hobart to an established farming family, Paul was educated at the Friends School and left school at the age of 15 in 1956. Paul’s earliest memory of the Royal Hobart Show is sitting on the mudflap of a tractor in the grand parade.
He served as a RAST Councillor for many years from 1973 and was the Society’s President between 1987-1990. He and his wife Jill have four children.
Paul had the honour of escorting now King Charles III when he visited the Show in 1974 and also Princess Anne on her visit in 1989.
Elected to the Australian Senate in 1987, Paul served as President of the Senate from 2002-2007 when he retired from politics and returned to farming. He also served on the Senate Rural & Regional Affairs Committee as well as the Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare.
As RAST President, Paul was instrumental in the appointment of Jack Rheinberger as Director of the Society in 1988. The two first met at Canberra Airport, and one thing led to another.
Paul was made a RAST Honorary Life Member 1990, and Honorary Life Council Member 1993. He was awarded a Queen’s Birthday Honour (AO) in 2009 for service to the Australian Parliament and to the community of Tasmania, especially through local government and the agricultural show movement.
As a farmer, Paul was closely involved with rural youth and was also involved in establishing a travelling school for people following the show circuit. He was also Deputy Warden of the Municipality of Clarence (now City of Clarence) between 1981 and 1983; and was Warden (Mayor) between 1983 and 1987.
2023 - Ian Scott
This year’s recipient was Ian Scott who has been involved with wood chopping at the Show since 1964.
Ian was born in the Huon Valley and lived at Geeveston until recently moving to Sandy Bay. He has been hooked on wood chopping and sawing since locals involved in the timber industry asked if he would like to have a go at the sport.
Six years after joining the sport, Ian won his first World Single Handed Sawing Championship at Ulverstone (the log size was 18 inches – now 450mm) and he defeated Mervyn Lenz from the US. Following this win in 1970 Ian defended the title in 1974 and defeated Ron Hartell from Canada.
With the introduction of metric measurements Ian still holds the record imperial measurement to this day. He has had many Double Handed Sawing partners throughout his career. He has won two World Single Handed Sawing Championships and records show that he has won approximately 70 state titles in Single and Double Handed Sawing, and two Australian Single Championships.
Ian has been a representative in Australian, Tasmanian and Veterans Teams, competing against the USA and NZ. He’s a great ambassador for the sport and has been President of the Southern Tasmanian Axemen’s Association and now currently the Patron, and is also still on the Woodchopping Committee of the RAST. He is a Life Member of STAA and also the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania.
Over the years Ian has stored logs and made machinery available at no cost for numerous carnivals and working bees and has been helping organise the woodchopping carnival at Geeveston for over 45 years.
Ian was born in the Huon Valley and lived at Geeveston until recently moving to Sandy Bay. He has been hooked on wood chopping and sawing since locals involved in the timber industry asked if he would like to have a go at the sport.
Six years after joining the sport, Ian won his first World Single Handed Sawing Championship at Ulverstone (the log size was 18 inches – now 450mm) and he defeated Mervyn Lenz from the US. Following this win in 1970 Ian defended the title in 1974 and defeated Ron Hartell from Canada.
With the introduction of metric measurements Ian still holds the record imperial measurement to this day. He has had many Double Handed Sawing partners throughout his career. He has won two World Single Handed Sawing Championships and records show that he has won approximately 70 state titles in Single and Double Handed Sawing, and two Australian Single Championships.
Ian has been a representative in Australian, Tasmanian and Veterans Teams, competing against the USA and NZ. He’s a great ambassador for the sport and has been President of the Southern Tasmanian Axemen’s Association and now currently the Patron, and is also still on the Woodchopping Committee of the RAST. He is a Life Member of STAA and also the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania.
Over the years Ian has stored logs and made machinery available at no cost for numerous carnivals and working bees and has been helping organise the woodchopping carnival at Geeveston for over 45 years.
2022 - Ken Gatehouse
This year's recipient was Ken Gatehouse who this year celebrated 60 years of Show involvement.
Ken has been involved in stewarding, organising, running and representing the sheep section, one of the oldest sections of the Show.
He started in 1962 as a steward with commercial lambs, and went on to become the head steward of the section, then Chair. In 2004 Ken was appointed an Honorary Life Member, and in 2005 he joined the RAST Council as the Stud Sheep Chair. In his 59th year, 2021, he was presented with an Outstanding Achievement award.
Ken has been involved in stewarding, organising, running and representing the sheep section, one of the oldest sections of the Show.
He started in 1962 as a steward with commercial lambs, and went on to become the head steward of the section, then Chair. In 2004 Ken was appointed an Honorary Life Member, and in 2005 he joined the RAST Council as the Stud Sheep Chair. In his 59th year, 2021, he was presented with an Outstanding Achievement award.
2021 - Henry Burbury
This year's recipient was Henry Burbury, who first visited the Hobart Show in 1955 as a young school student. He was back the next year with his family as an exhibitor of cattle.
In the mid 1970’s Henry became involved in the peak Show Council. He became Chairman of the Beef Cattle Committee and in 1996 he was elected the Society’s President.
During his tenure as President he oversaw a much-needed restructure and modernisation of the Society. He also oversaw the acquisition of a strategically important section of the Spurline Road, and was partly instrumental in attracting sponsorships for the Show from well known Tasmanian brands.
Henry was also at the helm during a period of intense debate about the establishment of a Tasmanian AFL side to be based at the Showground.
On a social level, Henry was also prominent in the Show’s own cricket league. Every Friday night of the Show would find him in the cattle shed involved in a fierce annual cricket match played between beef cattle farmers and their supporters, and the dairy cattle community.
In the mid 1970’s Henry became involved in the peak Show Council. He became Chairman of the Beef Cattle Committee and in 1996 he was elected the Society’s President.
During his tenure as President he oversaw a much-needed restructure and modernisation of the Society. He also oversaw the acquisition of a strategically important section of the Spurline Road, and was partly instrumental in attracting sponsorships for the Show from well known Tasmanian brands.
Henry was also at the helm during a period of intense debate about the establishment of a Tasmanian AFL side to be based at the Showground.
On a social level, Henry was also prominent in the Show’s own cricket league. Every Friday night of the Show would find him in the cattle shed involved in a fierce annual cricket match played between beef cattle farmers and their supporters, and the dairy cattle community.
2019 - Paul and Elizabeth Geard
This year's recipients were Paul and Elizabeth Geard. Paul started showing with his parents back in 1954, exhibiting Tamworth Pigs and Jersey cows. He first exhibited Holstein Friesian cattle two years later in 1956 when he won champion dairy cow. He’s won countless broad ribbons in the 63 years since.
Paul and Elizabeth have spent many hours at the Hobart showground, volunteering time not just at Show time, but in between, helping to develop the ground, building judging rings, redeveloping the central arena, and general ground maintenance.
Paul started on the show council around 30 years ago and was elected President in 2005 and held this position for six years. He has been on the RAST Board since its inception in 2010. He has been a Councillor since the 1980’s and is an Honorary Life Member and Honorary Life Councillor. He remains a director of the board to this day.
Show time has also been an extremely busy time for Elizabeth. In the early days helping Paul prepare and clean the team of dairy cattle, while also tending to their five children, and in recent times grandchildren. She has also been involved with the Show ambassador awards as a judge and with the functions committee.
Paul and Elizabeth and their family, including Paul’s father before him, have a long and varied association with the Royal Hobart Show.
They regularly exhibit their cattle not only at Hobart but also Burnie, Launceston and the Huon.
Paul and Elizabeth have spent many hours at the Hobart showground, volunteering time not just at Show time, but in between, helping to develop the ground, building judging rings, redeveloping the central arena, and general ground maintenance.
Paul started on the show council around 30 years ago and was elected President in 2005 and held this position for six years. He has been on the RAST Board since its inception in 2010. He has been a Councillor since the 1980’s and is an Honorary Life Member and Honorary Life Councillor. He remains a director of the board to this day.
Show time has also been an extremely busy time for Elizabeth. In the early days helping Paul prepare and clean the team of dairy cattle, while also tending to their five children, and in recent times grandchildren. She has also been involved with the Show ambassador awards as a judge and with the functions committee.
Paul and Elizabeth and their family, including Paul’s father before him, have a long and varied association with the Royal Hobart Show.
They regularly exhibit their cattle not only at Hobart but also Burnie, Launceston and the Huon.
2018 - David Skinner
This year’s recipient was David Skinner, whose first connections with the Show stretch back to 1946 when, as a Hutchins student, he was a Junior Steward at the Show.
David went on to join the Society’s Council, and then went on to become the President. In fact, he served in this capacity twice. He remains on the Council today and is also a member of the RAST Board responsible for the running of the Society.
He was then chairman of the Commercial Cattle Section and it’s worth noting in this day and age that David’s work with the Society is entirely on a voluntary basis.
David went on to join the Society’s Council, and then went on to become the President. In fact, he served in this capacity twice. He remains on the Council today and is also a member of the RAST Board responsible for the running of the Society.
He was then chairman of the Commercial Cattle Section and it’s worth noting in this day and age that David’s work with the Society is entirely on a voluntary basis.
2017 - Peter Manning
This year's recipient was Peter Manning who first exhibited Wyandotte Bantams at the Show when he was just 11 years old.
Peter has been on the Poultry, Pigeons and Caged Birds committee since 1999. He was awarded a RAST appreciation certificate in 2004, and is currently Chief Steward of the Poultry committee.
Peter is also President of the Southern Tasmanian Bantam Club, a position he has held since 1999. He’s a former President of the Southern Tasmanian Poultry Club and an inaugural Chair of the Rare Breeds Club.
Peter has kept an array of birds over the years including large fowls such as Old English Game, Hamburg’s, Indian and Jubilee Games; Bantams such as Wyandottes, Pekins, Rosecombes, OEG, Japanese, Modern Game and Leghorns; Waterfowl such as Pekin and Muscovy Ducks.
He has judged and exhibited at every Show in Tasmania at some stage, and has assisted many young people into the past time with free birds and advice. In a very rare honour Peter has been inducted into the Tasmanian Poultry Fanciers’ Association Hall of Fame.
Peter has been on the Poultry, Pigeons and Caged Birds committee since 1999. He was awarded a RAST appreciation certificate in 2004, and is currently Chief Steward of the Poultry committee.
Peter is also President of the Southern Tasmanian Bantam Club, a position he has held since 1999. He’s a former President of the Southern Tasmanian Poultry Club and an inaugural Chair of the Rare Breeds Club.
Peter has kept an array of birds over the years including large fowls such as Old English Game, Hamburg’s, Indian and Jubilee Games; Bantams such as Wyandottes, Pekins, Rosecombes, OEG, Japanese, Modern Game and Leghorns; Waterfowl such as Pekin and Muscovy Ducks.
He has judged and exhibited at every Show in Tasmania at some stage, and has assisted many young people into the past time with free birds and advice. In a very rare honour Peter has been inducted into the Tasmanian Poultry Fanciers’ Association Hall of Fame.
2016 - John and June Pilcher
This year's recipient was John and June Pilcher.
John grew up at Bothwell in his parents’ shop. In the mid 1950’s when 11 years old, he was allowed to come out from the Friends Boarding House to help at the Show. He helped with the cattle and led a Hereford in the Grand Parade.
In 1966 he became a cattle steward and in 1976 he and June decided to purchase Santa Gertrudis stock.
Ten years later they presented their Santa Gertrudis on exhibition at the Royal Hobart Show and apart from one year have been doing so ever since.
They were rewarded for their efforts with Grand Champion Bull at Hobart for 10 years in a row and a second in class in Sydney. The one year they missed the Hobart Show was 2012 when they were considering retirement. But they got withdrawal symptoms so came back the next year.
John grew up at Bothwell in his parents’ shop. In the mid 1950’s when 11 years old, he was allowed to come out from the Friends Boarding House to help at the Show. He helped with the cattle and led a Hereford in the Grand Parade.
In 1966 he became a cattle steward and in 1976 he and June decided to purchase Santa Gertrudis stock.
Ten years later they presented their Santa Gertrudis on exhibition at the Royal Hobart Show and apart from one year have been doing so ever since.
They were rewarded for their efforts with Grand Champion Bull at Hobart for 10 years in a row and a second in class in Sydney. The one year they missed the Hobart Show was 2012 when they were considering retirement. But they got withdrawal symptoms so came back the next year.
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