ADELINA La Vita believes everyone has a memory of the Canberra Show.

“When I was young, my siblings and I used to get $20 from my uncle to spend at the Canberra Show, and that was a lot of money back then,” she says.

“The first thing we used to do was buy a great big showbag.

“Then you could go on a couple of rides, too. Sideshow Alley for us was a highlight, and the dodgem cars as we got older.

“As a child, I have these wonderful memories, and I think that’s what the Canberra Show can do.”

So, as she settles into her role as CEO of the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS), she’d like to help other children and families to create similar memories.

Adelina, 53, says she took her daughter, Ruby, to the Canberra Show in 2008.

“I was a single parent then, so I really felt the costs back in 2008,” she says.

“We understand the prices are increasing and people are feeling the economic pressures of inflation.

“I want to really look at how we can make it easier for parents to afford to come, and I think we have a model where membership is an option.

“I think that’s a really good offer in terms of being able to pay once, but come multiple times over the weekend, to make sure those kids are still able to make those really important, amazing memories.”

But only two weeks into her role, she says she’s feeling both honoured and fortunate.

“I’m the first female CEO in RNCAS history, since 1927,” she says.

“It’s pretty exciting because it’s quite an old institution, and it’s a privilege and responsibility that I won’t be taking lightly.

“I think it says a lot about where the Society wants to go, it says a lot about the people who are governing the Society. I think we’re ready to take that step into becoming more equitable, embracing diversity and really looking at driving this organisation forward.”

Outgoing CEO Geoff Cannock has got a wealth of experience, Adelina says, and her early focus will be on getting that knowledge from him to herself.

“This is like his second home,” she says.

“I am very lucky to have him still here to help me transition.

“It’s great to be working for Canberra again, for the Canberra community.”

Most recently, Adelina, 53, has worked in the not-for-profit sector, but has more than 30 years of experience, with a deep understanding of events and marketing.

“My background includes working with local and federal government, global brands, tourism and not-for-profit both nationally and internationally,” she says.

“I just came from the Food and Grocery Council of Australia, some other jobs I’ve done include being the global head of digital marketing for Adidas in Germany and the Netherlands, and I’ve previously worked on Floriade and Enlighten, which encouraged my creativity.”

Born in what used to be Woden Hospital and growing up on the southside of Canberra, Adelina says she found herself following in the footsteps of most Canberrans.

“I went to Weston Creek High School, and the University of Canberra to study graphic design,” she says.

“We as Canberrans grow up, we move away, then we often come back,” she says.

“I lived overseas for 12 years, in London, Germany and then Amsterdam.

“I went overseas in 1998, came back to Australia to have my daughter, Ruby, and then left for overseas again in 2002. When Ruby was a baby, she spoke German before she spoke English.”

“But my marriage breakdown brought me back to Canberra, and I’m really glad I did come back, Canberra fed my soul at a time that I really needed it. Ruby, and I moved back here in 2008.”