Although there was heaps to see and do at the Toowoomba Show, there was plenty of time for a quick photograph.

Prized cattle, sheepdog trials, farming equipment, arts and craft, sideshow alley and Defence Recruiting were some of the highlights more than 40,000 people were treated to at the 137th Toowoomba Royal Show.

The Defence Force Recruiting Centre, located in Toowoomba, supplied a Defence display during the four-day event. The display, in collaboration with 25/49 Royal Queensland Regiment and the Oakey Army Fire and Rescue Section; was a big hit with the public - especially with the budding new recruits.

The display consisted of a 15-tonne Bush Master; weapons stand; Ninox tent, where the public had a chance to see what it's like to see in the dark; a fire engine and the tri-Service Recruiting Van.

Designed as a hands-on activity, the display allowed the general public the chance to both observe and handle equipment the Defence Force holds.

Kids of all ages were also treated to the traditional face painting with camouflage cream. One young boy was overheard saying to his mother when showing her his new face, 'but the man said they have to dirty their face all the time'.

Not all little girls play with dolls, as SGT Mark Morrissey, an Air Force careers adviser from Toowoomba, soon found out. As 11-year-old Amy O'Dea quickly got a grip of the Minimi at the weapons display stand during the Toowoomba Show.		Lots of little boys dream of becoming a firefighter. This dream came true for four-year-old Jay Russell at the Toowoomba Show. Jay had the chance to handle a fire hose under the watchful eye of LCPL John Blackley from the Army Aviation Fire Station.

Story and Photograph by WO2 Wayne Ryan