Welcome to the 2011 and the Swan View and Districts Agricultural & Arts Society. The role of the Society is to arrange the Annual Show which will be held on Saturday 19 November 2011.

Last year I met with a number of the hard working volunteers leading up and during the Swan View and Districts Agricultural & Arts Society. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and hard work these volunteers had put into last year, I wanted to get on board. An opportunity had arisen which allowed me to take on a leadership role and here I am, President of the Society. I have much faith in the number of volunteers that do the hard work with a wide variety of events & competitions, ranging from all kinds of animals, displays, music and of course the hall events where people are able to show off their talents in cooking, photography, crafts, gardening, sewing, wine- and beer- making and much more.

Not being new to community involvement I am aiming with my Committee to recruit more people in the local area to be part of an enthusiastic group. I must take time to thank all our sponsors in the past years and look forward to their involvement for 2011 and many years to follow.

Last year we launched the Helen Dullard Art Award for the best original painting of an iconic landmark or scene that epitomises the local area. The competition attracted just below 40 entries. A great effort for a first time event and we are anticipating a lot more this year. The Committee at a recent meeting approved in principal two other awards. They will be in the field of writing and for the young people a photographic award for shots taken of the place where they live, such as iconic places in the local area or other places of interest.

In going down this track with these awards we will be recognising the people who made the local area what it is today.

As with all committees we are always looking for new ideas and volunteers, and we are also searching for people of all ages to enter our large variety of competitions and displays.

Many thanks to the Committee, Judges and many Volunteers who have helped maintain the standard of past shows and to the exhibitors who have also contributed a great deal, without these people the show could not be held.

lf you are able to volunteer in any way or wish to join as a Member, our meetings are held in the Brock Pavilion, Brown Park Swan View on the third Wednesday of each month, or contact me on my mobile 0407 441 672 or at home on (08) 9294 2821.

I hope to see you all at the 2011 Swan View Show in one way or another.

Tony Cuccaro

President