The Show at Night Bush Tele Feature

Long after the bright lights and the roar of the carnival die down each night, the grounds at the Sydney Royal Easter Show are still humming with life.

Among city folk, it’s a little known fact that for the two weeks of the show, hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of animals call the Showground home.

Over 800 people sleep at the Show every night, most in large wooden boxes called ‘lofts’. Scattered amongst the animal pavilions, the lofts are two storeys high, just over two square metres wide, and often house entire families at a time.

As you walk through the pavilions, you’re met by the sight of families and friends sitting on fold-up chairs and catching up over a cup of tea.

For the exhibitors, living at the Show means reacquainting with a community of old friends who come together each year. Dairy farmer Paul Osborn- Smith loves coming to stay at the Show.

 “It’s great fun and a great part of showing. You get to have a yarn with people you only get to see three or four times a year,” he said.

Sleeping just metres away from his cattle has its perks when it comes to making his morning coffee.

“I just squeeze a bit of milk into my morning coffee – it comes out just like a cappuccino,” he said.

When asked his least favourite part of living at the show, Paul replied “leaving”. He plans to have a big celebration with his neighbours on Tuesday night at the Cattleman’s Bar.

While the men don’t seem to mind the rustic conditions, many women around the Show wouldn’t mind going back to the comforts of home. For Tonia Jackson and Cherie Morelli from the Horse Pavilion, living in the lofts has been a long trot.

“We’re looking forward to a nice comfy bed and a proper shower!” Tonia said.