President E S Playfair Biography

E.S Playfair (1894 – 1965)

President Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales 1960 - 1965

Edmund Strathmore (Strath) Playfair was born in Sydney. He enlisted in the First World War and served with distinction until badly injured in 1918.

As a third generation director of the prominent meat export company, Playfair’s expert knowledge of the meat trade made him a valued councillor and president of the Society. He played a leading role in setting up the RAS Steer and Carcase Show and Sales and was a tireless committee man, chairing the Building and Works, and the Fat Lamb Carcases Committees, as well as serving on the Executive, Finance, Horse, Cattle, Fodder, Catering, and Entertainment Committees. His father, uncle, brother and nephew were all closely associated with the Society.

Appointed deputy president in 1959, Playfair was soon required to take the leadership after the tragic death of the president, Samuel Hordern. He continued with plans to modernise the Showground and new buildings sprang up during his term. Revenue from use of the ground through the year doubled.

In 1963 Playfair officiated at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth conference in Sydney, the first to be held outside England. On visiting that year’s Show, the vice-president the RASC pronounced it the best of its type in the world.

Strath Playfair died in July 1965. Ill health complicated by old war wounds troubled him in his last years though he had worked on without complaint. At his request his ashes were scattered over the Showground arena.

A full list of Presidents can be found here.