President Roy Trevor Schmidt

President Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales 1988 - 1995

Roy Trevor (Trevor) Schmidt, son of pastoralist Rudolf Schmidt, grew up on his grandfather’s property in the Northern Territory. He was educated at Shore School in Sydney. During the 1950s and ’60s he managed large stations  and went on to secure managing directorships of the Australian operations of King Ranch, and the Australian Agricultural Company.

Elected to Council in 1963, he was seen to have great promise. He became Vice-President in 1980, a position also occupied by his father. He was Chair of the Cattle, Executive and Agricultural Societies Committees and also served on the Horse, Fodder, House, Finance, Agricultural Societies, Chairmen and  Wine Committees as well as multiple sub-committees.

As President, Trevor Schmidt played an integral role in negotiations with the NSW Government to relocate the Showground to Homebush Bay. Under Schmidt’s leadership, the Society saw major expansion of its year-round exhibition business at the showground. In addition, the Royal Easter Show gained a higher profile, culminating in its recognition as the pre-eminent tourist attraction in Australia at the Australian Tourism awards for Excellence in 1994.

In 1999 he received an Order of Australia to honour his service to the public and he passed away in 2014.

A full list of Presidents can be found here.