An exhibit fit for a royal

But this year the theme – Women in Agriculture – is especially close to the artist’s heart. Over the past 12 years she’s been designing the southern districts exhibits (except 2007), Ms Fitzpatrick has covered everything from ‘Australia’s Natural Wonders’ to ‘Wool Breathes,’ Water – the source of Life,’ ‘Recycling’ and ‘Sustainable Agriculture’.

This year’s theme has been mulling around in the Currawang grazier’s mind for the past year.

It became especially relevant when 2012 was declared Australian Year of the Farmer.

“I chose this because it’s never been highlighted at the Show before,” she said.

“It certainly has been in history but it’s gone off the radar a bit. I’m focusing on all different roles whether it be wool and beef production, genetics, education and planning or rural community support.”

She has first hand appreciation of their role as a superfine woolgrower and cattle grazier.

The artistic work is painstaking. It’s been six months in the planning and three months of toil.

It includes 20 panels, each up to two metres high and a metre long, depicting prominent and not so prominent rural women.

Each image is painted onto the wooden panel and a substantially filled with different coloured seeds, representing the region’s produce.

Meticulously placing several varieties of millet, canola, rice, linseed, egg shell grit and sesame seeds can take up to five days on one portrait

The subjects include NSW Farmers Association president and Gunnedah grazier, Fiona Simson, Breadalbane based Landcare and Lachlan Catchment management Authority officer Mary Bonet, Breadalbane woolgrower Jenny Bell, Marulan Alpaca farmer Wendy Billington, rural educator Susan Ange, soil scientist Christine Jones, Araluen grazier Dorothy Griggs, beef grazier and Crookwell zone Showgirl winner Jasmine Nixon, Taralga agribusiness woman, Felicity Wheelwright and tussock tamer Alison Elvin.

The next generation of farmers is also represented in a portrait of Margie’s daughter, Emma Lipscomb, who studies agriculture at Frensham School, Mittagong. Locals will see familiar faces in youngsters Madeleine and Annabelle Hannan from Breadalbane in another panel, depicting the industry’s future.

The portraits, to be transported to Sydney next Sunday, will form a 17m by 15m stage. A 20-member team will converge at the show to compile the ‘floor’ – produce from all over the southern districts.

It includes a colourful array of fruit and vegetables, Alpaca fleeces, hay, grain, apples from Batlow and much more.

They’re a loyal group who volunteer their time every year for a tilt at the top prize.

Over the last 12 years the southern districts exhibit has won twice, scored second, third and fourth places and five People’s Choice awards.

Ms Fitzpatrick said she’d like to continue the success, especially given the subject’s importance.

She’s gained first hand agricultural experience over the past 20 years, the last 12 of those running her family’s grazing property, ‘Australind’ southeast of Goulburn.

She’s taken a much more hands on role since the death of her husband, Michael Lipscomb in 2006, and has engaged a management team to help out.

“I have a holistic approach to running it,” Ms Fitzpatrick told the Post.

“It’s a particular form of management and a biological approach for sustainability now and in the future. It’s about working with nature and taking a gentle approach. “It’s also been a big inspiration for my art.”

The Show runs from April 5-18 and all hands will be on deck to build a first class southern districts exhibit for judging on opening day. “I’m really satisfied with the theme so I’d love to get a place and the People’s Choice award,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

“I feel extremely pleased with my contribution to the display because I’m passionate about it. It’s attached to my heart because I’m a woman in agriculture and appreciate what it takes to be involved in the lifestyle.”