Bob Parker to be host of 1985 quiz

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 23

Bob Parker to be host of 1985 quiz

One of television’s leading frontmen, Bob Parker, will again host the Skellerup Young Farmer of the Year contest for 1985.

In keeping with past years, Parker will quiz the young hopefuls at provincial level, as well as hosting the grand final to be televised live from the Wanganui War Memorial Hall on July 19.

Bob Parker’s association with the contest goes back five years to the initial telecast from Trillo’s Cabaret in Auckland.

Coincidentally, at that time he had just bought a four-hectare block of land not far from Wellington with a view to establishing a small farm.

“I’d just built my very first piece of fencing — a seven wire fence,” he recalls. “Unfortunately it didn’t go too well because a single ewe managed to knock down the entire fence.”

One of the perks of being involved with the contest, he says, is the amount of much-needed advice he receives from his Young Farmer colleagues. “When I was buying my sheep they had a sheep section at each of the regional finals I went to. I was really pleased because I found out how to watch for footrot and what to do if they had it, when I should drench them, as well as learning all the short cuts,” Parker says. He readily admits to having some preconceived ideas about farmers before joining the contest. “The old misconception I had was I thought ‘farmer’ equals ‘country bumpkin’,” he says. “It didn’t take long for me to realise though that ‘farmer’ equals ‘business’.”

Since joining the Skellerup Young Farmer of the

Year contest. Bob Parker has witnessed many developments in both the farming world and the contest. “It’s harder for the contestants these days because the standard becomes more demanding each year, and the show keeps moving forward,” Parker savs.

“Farming is a progressive business in many areas. This country leads the world in a lot of its horticultural and dairy practices, and the show reflects that."

Nowadays the Grand Final, differing markedly from the original radio format of the 19605, is shown live on nation-wide television, capturing the country’s interest. “Last year’s show rated 31 per cent in the BCNZ survey. I think the audience

like it because they see it as quite funny in a way," Parker savs.

"All these guys we see in the film clips running around their farms, booting sheep and shouting at dogs are suddently there on the programme in evening dress looking sort of awkward and self conscious. That’s really neat."

Acknowledging the entertainment value, Bob Prker is quick to point out that it is the seriousness towards education and the careerminded attitude of the contestants that has made the biggest impression on him. "A lot of the people who are going into the Skellerup Young Farmer contest are very involved in their rural communities,” he savs.