Show day is always a big event in any country community, but for the people of Gilgandra in central-western NSW Saturday was bigger than usual.
When word got around their local MP, the Nationals' Mark Coulton, would be joined by the prime minister, they figured history was being made.
"This is the biggest thing to happen in Gilgandra," one man said as Scott Morrison entered the showground.
"That's my show done, that was the best ride I got all day," another said after shaking the prime minister's hand.
If it was his intention to buck up a community suffering from drought, the smiles on most faces amidst the show bags and champion sheep fleeces indicated he did well.
A small group of protesters angry about the planned route of the inland rail followed him around, but the prime minister ignored them.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack did come back and listen to their concerns once the media pack had passed by.
The prime minister went bush with a serious message.
"We're one whole country and we need to support each other and we need to hold together, particularly when they're doing it tough," Mr Morrison told reporters.
"Where ever they need us to stand with them, we will."
On a Gilgandra property owned by Kevin and Robyn West, the prime minister helped feed cattle and shear a sheep and brought promises of increased drought assistance and a push to better educate city kids about farming.
"We've got to share with Australians the real story of the contribution that farming and agriculture makes to our country," he said, citing a 2011 study that found two-in-five school students believed farming damages the environment.
"This is a lie that is being told to our kids and we have have to correct it.
"Because in its most extreme form it shows up in the aggressive and violent activism that we've seen with people storming farms around this country and attacking the livelihoods of farmers and their families."
Agriculture minister David Littleproud said it was important to boost people's understanding of farming, not just to reduce the disconnect between food being grown and eaten, but also to educate the next generation to take on the work.
"Agriculture is sexy again," he said.
"Let me tell you, there's going to be a quid to be made out here and we're going to make it.
"The story of agriculture is a good one; it's just add rain."
The coalition has promised nearly $31 million of support for agricultural show societies and programs to bring city kids to farms, and farms to city schools.
It's also offering $54.7 million in extra drought assistance, including more financial counsellors - "those angels of the drought", Mr Morrison said - to help small rural businesses.
