Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson and Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) President Glenn Dudley invited the couple to unveil the plaque at Southee and Badgery Pavilion at Sydney Showground.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to the Sydney Royal Easter Show to open this wonderful new venue for Sydney,” Mr Souris said.
“This 10,000 square metre exhibition hall provides a great new undercover venue for the Sydney Royal Easter Show and houses the impressive Arts and Crafts, Fashion and Style, and Flower and Garden exhibitions this year.
“The Pavilion’s name acknowledges the contribution of the late Mr Ethelbert Southee OBE to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Council over many years, and the Badgery family who have served the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW almost continuously since 1888,” he said.
“It is fitting that Their Royal Highnesses chose to visit the Show during their visit to NSW – it is an iconic display of Australian culture, heritage and agricultural excellence, and as Australia’s largest annual event it is an important contributor to NSW’s visitor economy.
“The Royal Easter Show is Australia’s largest event and attracts about 900,000 visitors.
The NSW Government continues to support the Show to help further boost international visitation, which has grown by over 250 per cent since 2009.”
Ms Hodgkinson said the visit to the Show by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would help lift the profile of the event internationally, and demonstrate the importance of the agricultural sector.
“I’m sure Their Royal Highnesses enjoyed their time at the Show, an event that demonstrates the central role the primary industries play in shaping NSW,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“The NSW Government will continue to work with the RAS of NSW to bring the best of our State’s agricultural sector to people from across Australia and the world through the Sydney Royal Easter Show.”
Glenn Dudley, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW President, said the visit from Their Royal Highnesses was a very special and exciting event for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.
“We are delighted to provide them with a Show experience featuring our animals, one of our oldest traditions, the District Exhibits, and the opportunity to meet Aussie farmers and Showgoers,” Mr Dudley said.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have already visited the Sydney Opera House and Echo Point in the Blue Mountains during their time in NSW, and are also scheduled to visit Manly Beach and Taronga Zoo over the Easter long weekend.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show runs until 23 April at Sydney Showground. For more information please visit eastershow.com.au