Royal Egg Hunt 2025

BY ALEX DRISCOLL

Royal Egg Hunt founder Lauren Short was born into a show family

To Sydneysiders, the Royal Easter Show might appear to pop up overnight, but for 200 years, it’s been the legions of travelling ‘showies’ who have kept it running.

One such showie is former North Shore resident Lauren Short, who has been travelling the agricultural circuit since she was a child, interrupted only by her schooling days in Cammeray and Mosman.

Continuing this proud tradition, Lauren’s Royal Egg Hunt stall was awarded ‘best in show’ when it debuted at the Sydney show last year. It also won first place in the children’s carnival attraction section.

The Short family association extends back to the early 1900s, when Lauren’s great-grandmother Ruby Short was the ground steward for the Easter Show. Her grandfather was also involved, but in a less ‘official’ capacity, selling balloons without a contract when he was 14. He was kicked out 13 times in one day for his enterprise. “I suppose it’s just something that runs in your blood,” Lauren says.

Speaking to North Shore Living while travelling to her next job, Lauren says there are positives and challenges to the profession, especially as she has kept the tradition of involving her own family in the business. “We get to see a lot of Australia, our family surrounds us, and also the cuisine!” she says. “However, the toughest aspect is that I travel with two kids.”

Travelling from place to place full-time has allowed self-sufficiency within the showie community to develop. It’s an ‘extremely’ tight-knit community, and there are familiar faces at every show. There’s even a school to support children moving with parents, the National School for Travelling Show Children.

Travelling to different agricultural shows across the country and setting up the same stalls and attractions is not the only thing Lauren does. The project manager also spends time pitching and creating new attractions for her shows. Like any entertainment sector, amusement is in constant need of innovation, and that is something Lauren is attuned to.

Lauren’s innovation at the Easter Show, now about to feature in its second year, is the Royal Egg Hunt. “It really just started with me drawing a sketch and having an idea,” she said. “When I applied the first year, I wasn’t successful, and then I got to apply again last year, and it all came to light. I ended up taking home two prestigious prizes for the show: first place for children’s attraction and I also got the prize for best in show.”

For Lauren, the main reward for her work is simply seeing her attractions come to life. “My eyes just started welling up. It was really unbelievable to bring something to life. First of all, it was a big build, and I took so much pride in all of the (excited) kids that came through. I really loved doing it,” she says.

Showies like Lauren ensure The Sydney Royal Easter Show has something for everyone. From rides, show bags, art, sport, food, wine and music, it remains, after 200 years, one of the best days out in Sydney.