<P> Since the 19th century competitions have been held "for the ladies". These competitions have traditionally included the making of scones, fruitcake and preserves . Crafts have traditionally included three crochetted doilies, a smocked baby's dress and a man's knitted sleeveless sweater . Over 100 years the classes have been expanded to include a vast range of cooking and crafts in which men may also compete . Among the crafts are the spinning, weaving and dyeing of wool, woodwork, leatherwork, enamelling, lacemaking, embroidery, toymaking and patchwork . </P> <P> The various fashions in craft have changed dramatically over the years and these changes are reflected in the number of exhibits and in the classes . From 1960 until about 1990 one of the most popular crafts was cake decorating, with numerous expert decorators vying for fineness in their "extension work" and creating designs of extraordinary delicacy and intricacy . In the 21st century these technical skills have almost disappeared . On the other hand, the art of paper tole, also requiring of much fine control, has become a popular craft, as witnessed by the large number of entries to the competition . </P> <P> Associated with the show, and displayed in the same pavilion as the craft competitions is an Art Show with classes for Rural subjects, Still Life, Watercolour and Figurative painting . There are competitions for sculpture, photography, silverwork and ceramics . </P> <P> The State and Federal Governments both contribute exhibitions to the show though their presence has diminished significantly since the relocation to Homebush Bay in 1998 . Many government departments such as NSW Lotteries, CityRail and NSW Health have axed their annual displays . However bodies such as The New South Wales Rural Fire Service, New South Wales Police Force, the Ambulance Service and the Army Reserve continue to set up displays to inform and promote goodwill to the public . </P>

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