Decades of voluntary service has recently been recognised by the Millicent Show Society with life membership bestowed on two hard-working members in Bevan and Kathleen Staude.


Their nominations by the general committee were unanimously endorsed by the 20 other members of the Millicent Show Society who were present at the recent annual general meeting.


Bevan had submitted an apology for his absence but his wife Kathleen was present.


Both recipients have served the society in various spheres and their names will now be added to the dozens of names dating back to the 1870s who are listed on the honour board which hangs on the wall of the show hall.


According to Kathleen, the couple have enjoyed their association with the Millicent Show dating back to the early 1970s when they exhibited Poll Dorset sheep, goats and dogs. Flowers, photography and produce followed.


However, the Millicent Show also needs volunteers and the Staudes soon found themselves at working bees.


“For many years we would poison the weeds around the fences, gates and seats,” Kathleen said.


“This would occur about six weeks or a month out from the show.”


A task with a higher profile was as joint convenors of the wool section for more than 20 years.


Kathleen was willing to share her knowledge of the wool industry with exhibitors and viewers alike.


“I would explain the different textures of the wool fibres and have them feel examples,” she said.


“The slight variations of colour also revealed the type of soil where the sheep had been.”


The pair have been general committee members with Kathleen also assisting with publicity through her photographs of show activities.


In his capacity as a Millicent Lions Club member, Bevan would be at every Millicent Show manning the food booth or selling raffle tickets.


Millicent Show Society president Brett Keatley also presented a framed certificate to immediate past president Neville Copping, commemorating his 2022 life membership.