It seemed like the moon and beyond, so I put the thought aside and concentrated on other things.

However, putting the story together from that night's meeting has my brain ticking.

With one grandstand already there, could we re-examine the project, the needs versus the wants?

With the focus of saving a piece of history now null and void, I ask the community and most importantly, users of the showground, do we really need two grandstands?

Could we extend the existing grandstand and save costs to the community?

Could we go back to the drawing board and most importantly, the user groups, and check what their needs are....a function area? a kitchen? a food serving area? more seating? Hit me with it people!

To me, the whole focus of saving the old grandstand was about preserving history, not necessarily about ensuring the existence of a second elevated seating area.

With that historical focus gone, let's try and re-examine this thorny issue, put aside our prejudices and assumptions, and really see what is needed at the Showground, now and most importantly, into the future.

I hate to put it this bluntly, but the fact that we have gone without that grandstand for quite a lot of years now says to me...we don't need another grandstand just for seating.

So, I challenge all associated with the Cowra Showground to cast aside any allegiances/loyalties/judgements/etc and re-examine the issue.

If we come back to really needing a second grandstand - then great.

But let's be really sure before half a million dollars is spent.

We initially thought we would do a special feature on the 100 years commemorative service of Anzac Day.

Maybe a four page feature; it depended on the response.

Or so we thought.

Then you came and visited us, you called, you booked journalists, you sent us emails, faxes, gave us books, poems, and we now have an amazing list of stories and interviews from readers about their family - their grand dads, great grand fathers, great great uncles, the list goes on.

So, I'm flagging now, normal news may have to stand still for Friday's Cowra Guardian.

It's got a pretty good reason to - we won't ever have a 100th anniversary of Anzac to mark again.

Friday's Cowra Guardian will be a special tribute to those who served our country - not just in the first World War, but in all areas of conflict.

It's shaping up to be a cracker and just may take over the paper.

Of particular importance to me has been the involvement of much younger generations in sharing their family's story - something I am passionate about (more in Friday's paper).

One gentle reminder though - please go easy on volunteers in community organisations that are only trying their best to organise/promote Anzac Day events.

It has saddened me to hear of some say they will never do it again because of last minute community pressure.

Support the volunteers too please.

janine.finlayson@fairfaxmedia.com.au