"It's so hard to step back from something you love," the outgoing president said, adding that "the show is still my passion".

And if the flood of phone calls Mr Naylor received in the days following the announcement is anything to go by, that tireless dedication hasn't been lost on the wider community.

In a lifetime which has revolved around the Showground, Mr Naylor can remember missing just one Orange Show - which occurred the year he was laying the cement for his house.

One of his first memories involves being pushed around the Showground in a pram by his mother Betty Naylor.

The late Betty Naylor - a stalwart and tireless volunteer to the show in her own right - had been instrumental to its success since she first became involved at the age of 15, according to her grandson Eli Naylor. Something which continued right up "until the day she died" in 2014, he said.

At the same time young Betty began attending regular committee meetings, Peter Naylor's father Ray Naylor was similarly involved with the show, primarily with the poultry section.

After the couple married in 1950 the countless hours they dedicated to the event increased as they both took on more responsibilities. This commitment and sense of duty to the Orange Show was subsequently instilled in their son, Peter.

"From a young age my father Peter Naylor became involved in the Show Society via Ray and Betty's involvements," Eli Naylor said in a detailed account he wrote about his family's ties to the show.

"Betty did not volunteer for the accolades, but for the community and to keep the show interesting and modern to the ever-growing Orange community.

"In total, Betty attended 804 show meetings. In conjunction with the show society, Betty and the Naylor family were vital to the smooth running of the show for six decades."

In 2017 Orange City Council ensured the family's legacy would live on by naming the Showground's impressive new shed the Naylor Pavilion: a feature which is sure to be a crucial element to the show's ongoing success - much like the Naylor family themselves.

Along with Mr Naylor, also to step down from committee duties last month was senior vice-president Chris Ross.

In a statement on Thursday, the Orange Show Society committee said it recognised "the many, many years outgoing president, Peter Naylor, and outgoing senior vice president, Chris Ross, have committed to make sure the Orange Show has been a success".

Adding that, with the 150th show set to be held next year in 2022, "the pair had not taken the decision lightly, and their many years of experience at the helm of this important community event will no doubt be missed".

"The committee wishes them all the best and thanks them for their many years of hard work and service," the committee said.

"The committee is continuing to work to ensure that the gates can be thrown open to the community for the 149th Orange Show, on May 8 - 9."

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