A young man in an Akubra hat waits patiently among the exhibitors in the poultry hall at Brisbane's RNA Showgrounds.
Amid the echoey din of crowing and clucking, the voice of the chief steward rings out over the audio system — "Supreme champion fowl of show … Lachie Arnett".
A broad smile breaks out on the young man's face as long-time friends and rivals, some old enough to be his grandfather, extend heartfelt congratulations.
