Show society president Peter Naylor said he was moved by the efforts of his son, Eli, who wrote to council outlining the Naylors’ 50-year contribution to the Orange Show  Society.

“I am very proud that the grandson of Betty and Ray has put this forward and I hope the community and council feel the same way about the naming of the pavilion,” he said.

Mr Naylor said the request of the Naylor family was backed by  Orange Show Society members and came in the lead-up to the Orange Show on May 2 and 3.

Orange City Council announced in December it would fund the  construction of a new pavilion at the northern end of the showground, where the old stables were located.

“It is good that we can host our show before the work on the new building gets started,” Mr Naylor said.

“When you look around this showground the pavilions that are already here have been named after people who have made a real contribution to the show over many years, and we are hoping that the people of Orange and council will feel the same way about my parents.”

At yesterday’s swap meet and car, truck and bike show, held at the showground, Mr Naylor was seeking signatures for a letter of support about the naming proposal.

“This isn’t a petition, I would just like to get some feedback about how people feel and I’m happy for them to call me to let me know their feelings,” he said.

Mr Naylor said he, his family and Orange Show Society members hoped council would look favourably on their request.

“Mum was very interested and involved with all aspects of the showground, particularly retaining the existing site and improving it,” he said.

“She was still actively involved until a few days before her passing, [in August, 2014], making phone calls and reminding everyone of jobs they had promised to do.”

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au