Page 15 - The Outdoor Showman April - June 2025

The sixteen “Miss Showgirl”
contestants were presented to
Mrs J N Renshaw, the wife of the
leader of the opposition in the
NSW Parliament. The winner of
the first Penrith Miss showgirl
being Miss Vonnie Willis
Mr Max Laughton, who became
President in 1988, led the next
significant steps – the first being
in 1993 where the last show was
conducted under the name of
Nepean District A H & I Society, it
being felt that with the increase
in the size of the city of Penrith
that a name change to Penrith
District A H & I Society would be
more relevant and create a more
identifiable focus on our location.
This change also coincided with
our move to incorporation under
the company’s code, a moved
undertaken to provide protection
to our members and executives.
The second step undertaken just
after the name change was securing
a registered club licence, with
Club Paceway officially opening
on November 26,
1999. This gave the
Society a permanent
base for members and visitors,
further securing the financial and
social future of the grounds.
But beyond presidents and
milestones, the Penrith
Show has always been about
people – and families.
One such enduring family is the
Payne family, whose story represents
the living legacy of the Society.
Mr Ron Payne served as a Deputy
Chair & director from 1968, and
his wife, Mrs Suzanne Payne, was
the respected head steward of the
primary pavilion that showcased
everything from haberdashery,
beading, home baking, preserving
and cake decorating during that
same era. Their parents also served
on the board & sub-committees
and today, their children and in-
laws continue this commitment:
•
Their son, Mr Geoff
Payne, now serves as the
Chairman of the Society,
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 13