Mr Brennan was elected to his third consecutive term at the Show Society’s annual general meeting on Friday, May 12.

The fourth generation farmer, who has been involved with the Society for more than 40 years, said he was honoured to be president during such an historic year.

“We are the third oldest show in the state, Mr Brennan said.

“That is a wonderful achievement and we couldn’t do it without the hard work of the committee and volunteers.’’

Mr Brennan said the staging modern agricultural shows was increasingly financially challenging and that the society was always looking for new sponsors.

He encouraged the community to support fundraisers throughout the year including the popular trivia night on August 19 and the Show Ball on November 18.

“We had a record Friday gate at last year’s show and we are hoping to achieve that again and add a record Saturday gate as well, especially for the 170th show,’’ Mr Brennan said.

With the AGM being staged at the end of Volunteer Week, Kiama Mayor Mark Honey, a former Show Society committee member, praised the work of the volunteers who kept the event going.

“Without the volunteers, Kiama Show just wouldn’t be a show,’’ Cr Honey said.

“It’s not just the committee, it’s those other people who just turn up and say ‘I’ll give you a hand’.’’

Cr Honey, a fifth generation dairy farmer, encouraged the Show Society to keep trying to bring modern agricultural practices into the show movement.

“There are still a lot of challenges for Kiama Show. We have gone from 100 dairy farms in 1950 in the Jamberoo valley to 12, that gives you an idea of how the agricultural pursuits in the area have changed.

“We have to look at promoting the niche agricultural industries and encourage them to get them more involved.’’

Kiama MP Gareth Ward said Kiama Showground was the most scenic ground in NSW and congratulated Kiama staff for its maintenance.

“The Show movement is so important to us because it is a part of everything that our region was and still is,’’ Mr Ward said.

“Certainly farming has changed but it’s still so important from a historic point of view and where are we still going today.

“Thank you to all the volunteers who put in such a great effort – be it organising organising the pavilion, the enormous amount of work the committee does, people who work on the gate or just being there to lend a hand – thank you.’’

The 2017 Kiama Show will be staged on Australia Day, Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27.

For more information on Society events throughout the year, to become a sponsor, or a member, visit kiamashow.com.au and like the Society Facebook page.