Student Wellbeing

Making time for joy: Lessons from the showgrounds

Spring is here, and the sun will start to appear once more. The excitement of the Royal Adelaide Show is also upon us, a highlight in our state’s calendar that draws families, friends, and communities together. From the thrill of the rides to the simple delight of a Dagwood Dog, from pig racing to the nightly fireworks, the Show has a way of reminding us that life is to be enjoyed as well as worked at.

For parents and the students, it can sometimes feel like every moment of their lives is filled with deadlines, assignments, extracurriculars and preparation for the future. Yet scripture reminds us: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  

Life is not only about grades and achievements. It is also about laughter, play, and time together. Even the Sabbath — God’s gift of rest — calls us to pause, step away from work, and delight in creation and one another.

 “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27).

For some families, the Show is a treasured tradition. You may remember your own childhood wonder at the lights, sounds and smells. I love the Wood Chopping Competition. How good are Bertie Beetles? For some, it might be the thrill of choosing a showbag weeks in advance, after getting the showbag guide out of the newspaper, highlighting all the bags you wanted, smashing your piggy bank open and seeing how many you could afford. Those memories stay with us, not because of their cost or grandeur, but because of the joy shared with the people we love. Our children, too, will carry these moments into their future.

Of course, as children grow older, the way they enjoy the Show may change. Your younger ones may cling to your hand, wide-eyed at the animals, while your teenagers may prefer to explore the rides with their friends. That’s a natural part of growing up. But whether side by side with you, or a little further ahead with their peers, they are still weaving memories, and your presence and encouragement remain deeply valuable.

So, this week, consider carving out time for fun. Go to the Show if you can, or simply enjoy a walk, a shared meal, or laughter over a board game at home. Let’s not underestimate the importance of these lighter, joy-filled moments. They restore us, remind us of God’s goodness, and draw us closer as families.

As Ecclesiastes also reminds us: “There is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13).

May this week be a time of joy, rest, and memory-making for your family, a reminder that God delights when we delight in the good gifts He has given us.

Jarrad Bigg

Secondary School Student Counsellor