The Macksville Show is done and dusted for another year, there were rides, food and more than a few shows to entertain the crowds.
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Among the many attractions at this years show was Adam Strickland from Steve McEwan's Reptile World, who both dazzled and educated with an array of snakes and information.
"We like to do these shows so people can see the snakes and learn about them in a controlled environment, many reptiles have adapted to live alongside us, like blue tounges and carpet pythons," he said.
"Snakes are an important part of our communities, even if people don't realise, they help with pest control, and it is important we learn to live with them rather than always remove them, most of the time people don't even realise one has taken up residence in their roof, most of the time it isn't an issue."
Leave them alone, that's all there is to it, generally if you don't bother them, they won't bother you.
- Adam Strickland
Among the snakes on display were the death adder, tiger snake, inland taipan and 'buddy' the black-headed python, and even though the presentation was the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with the reptiles, Adam cautions doing it in the wild.
"Leave them alone, that's all there is to it, generally if you don't bother them, they won't bother you," Adam said.
"It's a good idea to plan and know basic snake bite first aid, especially if you live and work rurally, but otherwise you shouldn't need to worry about being bitten."
Australia is home to a vast array of wildlife, and sometimes incidents do occur, however, Adam is confident that by following some easy to remember steps, fatalities are avoidable.
"If you are ever bitten, the first step is compression with a bandage, stay calm, call for help, avoid moving around if at all possible, because lots of movement will help pump the venom through your body," he said.
Snakes don't want to bite people, I've handled thousands of snakes over my lifetime, and touch wood, I've never been bitten, proper management and care need to be taken when around them.
- Steve McEwan
One day soon, locals and visitors to our region will be able to visit Steve McEwan's Reptile World at a permanent space located at the the Big Banana Fun Park in Coffs Harbour.
Local identity and reptile authority Steve McEwan, owner of Steve McEwan's Reptile World, has been sharing his wealth of knowledge up and down the coast for the better part of 20 years.
"We do a lot of educational shows in schools, mostly primary aged students and the Macksville Show, Bellingen Show, most people would have seen us around," he said.
"Generally we bring along a blue tongue lizard, black-headed python, bearded dragon, common tree snake, and a small saltwater crocodile for the kids to see."
"Snakes don't want to bite people, I've handled thousands of snakes over my lifetime, and touch wood, I've never been bitten, proper management and care need to be taken when around them."
