First and last a winner

The South-East Queensland Fruit exhibit, which scooped first prize ahead of four New South Wales entrants at this year's Sydney Royal Show, was the first in the new Homebush pavilion - and the last for long-serving exhibit manager Wes Rudd of Palmwoods.

Wes has decided to retire after 14 years in the role, although he and his wife Beth will still head to Sydney each Easter to help prepare the exhibit.

"It was great to be able to go out on a winning note and this was an absolutely spectacular display," he said. "It was designed by Kathie Kane of Gympie who put in a tremendous effort."

The display, pictured above, represented the State being opened up by rail through the sugar industry and featured the cane tram "Eudlo" as well as the Moreton sugar mill in Nambour.

Every aspect of the display was made with produce - grain, fruit and cotton.

Mr Rudd said it took 10 intensive days for the team of workers from Capella, Gympie, Palmwoods and the Darling Downs to put together the display which was 12 metres wide at the front and covered a 15 metre back wall.

More than 300,000 people filed past during the 16 days of the show.

South-East Queensland has been exhibiting in Sydney since 1913 and this was its first win in 12 years.