President N S Davidson Biography

N.S. Davidson                  (1916 – 2000)

President Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales 1979 - 1988

Norman Seymour (Jim) Davidson grew up in the district of Young where his family had property since 1872. Educated at Geelong Grammar, Davidson worked as a jackaroo before joining the AIF when war broke out. He served in Malaya, becoming a prisoner-of-war.

Davidson returned to Young and the life of a grazier, working closely with the local show society, district racing association and numerous other community organisations and charities.

Elected to Council in 1966, Davidson served on many of most the important committees including the Executive, Cattle, Fodder, Agriculture, Sheep and Wool, and Meat Industries Committees. With his grass-roots rural ties, his election as president was an indication Council wished to re-cement its relationship with the bush; presidents of the recent past had necessarily had a more urban focus.

During Davidson’s term a century at Moore Park was celebrated, as well as the bicentennial of Australian settlement. Renewed appreciation of the importance of heritage prompted the establishment of a library and archive.

In 1983 increased running costs and loss of business confidence impacted on finances but firm handling restored surpluses over following years. The looming threat of competition from the Darling Harbour development was recognised early. Aggressive recruitment of exhibitions ensued, venues were upgraded to maximise flexibility and appeal, catering became an in-house division.

After his retirement from the presidency, Jim Davidson received an Order of Australia in 1989 for services to primary industry and the agricultural show movement. He was made a Fellow of the RAS of the Commonwealth in 1994. He continued to serve the RAS of NSW as vice patron.

A full list of Presidents can be found here.