Show workers honoured

SEVEN life memberships were granted to long-serving members of the Berwick Show Society during the show annual meeting at Akoonah Centre on Thursday 11 June.
They were Debbie Akister, Bill Bickerton, Karen Chipperfield, Gwen Keys, Neil Lucas, Dorothy Vallence and Mike Vallence.
Seven seems a lot, but just thinking about the volume of voluntary work that keeps this show on the road makes me weary, and I commend each one.
Most of all Nar Nar Goon’s Bill Bickerton.
Billy Bickerton, as I’ve often heard him called, now has four show life memberships, Berwick, Bunyip, Dandenong, and Pakenham.
Louise Reeves nominated Mr Bickerton for the Berwick award and noted that he was also a life member of the other societies.
She said he received the Dandenong award in 1998, Bunyip and Pakenham in 2008, and it was fitting for him to receive a Berwick Show life membership because of his enormous contribution.
“This is a rare and wonderful record.
“His connection goes back to 1940 when he showed jersey cattle.
“During 1970 he established the Central Park Southdown Sheep Stud and over the years helped make the Berwick sheep show a great success.
“Bill will soon celebrate his 80th birthday and still continues his interest in farming by helping on the family farm.
“Our shows salute Bill for his work through the years,” Ms Reeves said.