Albany Agricultural Society veteran Bella Swainston leaves a legacy of passion and dedication to her community

Bella Swainston has been remembered as a stalwart of the Albany Agricultural Society after her death just days before last week’s Albany Agricultural Show. Mrs Swainston, a dedicated community volunteer and talented horticulturalist, died at home on Sunday, November 7. AAS president Gary Wilson said the news left the organising committee shocked and saddened — but also determined to put on a great show in her honour. He said Mrs Swainston was a “very good friend” and a treasured member of the society. “She was a mainstay and she has been for over 30 years,” he said. “She was the creative craft and cooking councillor, so she would basically run that single-handed. “She did an enormous amount of work. “She had an incredible work ethic and unfortunately we lost her the weekend before the show. “Everyone pulled together and put on a terrific show, and it was a great, great tribute to Bella.” The AAS committee and Mrs Swainston’s family decided to enter some of her exhibits in last week’s Albany Agricultural Show, leading to her being a major posthumous winner. There are plans to produce an informal history of the show in her honour. “Bella’s just so badly missed by us. It’s difficult to put into words,” Mr Wilson said. “She’s run the sections, she’s done the displays, she’s a very talented woman and she was just always on the ball. “She’s been an outstanding member. “It was just her second home, really.”