2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show: Top 10 showbags

Children from NSW hospitals recently landed their dream jobs as show bag testers for the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show. They reveal which bags get their tick of approval. SEE THE TOP 10

Sixty children from NSW hospitals were entrusted with one of Sydney Royal Easter Show’s most coveted jobs yesterday: showbag testers.

With 355 bags to assess, mini-testers from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Royal Far West rushed to grab their favourites.

TOP 10 SHOWBAGS FOR 2020 REVEALED BELOW

It didn’t take long for Matilda­ Harley, 6, who had a liver transplant last year, to choose her top four — the Frozen II Cosmetic Bag, Unicorn Slimey Fun Bag, Disney Princess Showbag and the Mega Candy showbag.

Matilda Harley, 6, with her favourite bags from the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Frozen is my favourite because I love to watch it and I just love Anna,” the chirpy Campbelltown girl said.

Matilda, who was born with the rare liver disease biliary atresia, was doing “brilliantly” following the successful transplant, her dad Craig Harley said.

Cooper del Valle, 10, from Carss Park and Darcy Peters, 6, from Batemans Bay picked their favourites — Dinosaur Rules and Dynamite Bubble Gum for Cooper and NERF and Batman for Darcy — they also made sure to collect some for their little brothers.

Georgia Lynch and Tianna Zorzit were thrilled to test out the showbags. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Ten-year-old liver cancer survivor Georgia Lynch, from Caringbah chose the JoJo Siwa Bag and Love to Squish Cat Bag, but said that when it comes to Show time, she will most be “excited about the rides”.

Nine-year-old Tianna Zorzit was representing her brother, Peter, who has autism­, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, as he could not make the event. She said she made sure to get The Wiggles and Hot Wheels showbags to take home for him.

Darcy Peters, Cloe Ela, Mia Stewart and Cooper del Vale didn’t waste any time getting stuck into the testing. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Unicorn showbags were a hit with Mia Stewart, 5, from Sutherland Shire and Chloe Els, 7, from Box Hill, who both couldn’t stop jumping around with excitement.

Showbags, an Australian invention, originated as sample­ bags containing small food or product samples in the late 1920s and were ­handed out for free.

This changed in the 1970s when TV-themed bags, such as Spider-Man and Mickey Mouse, emerged and the term showbag was first used.

Sydney Royal Easter Show operations and product development senior manager Shane McGrath said showbags range in price from $2 to $30 so there is something for all budgets and tastes.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show runs from April 3-14 to celebrate Australian culture, from rural traditions to modern­ life.

TOP 10 BAGS of 2020

Cadbury Freddo Family Deal ($20)

Bluey ($30)

Kinder Chocolate ($15)

Frozen 2 ($30)

Stranger Things ($30)

Friends ($28)

Mr Potato Head ($15)

Bertie Beetle Retro ($15)

Harry Potter Classic ($28)

Slime Zone ($10)