THERE’S a renewed push for people to get involved in their local show as a number of agricultural societies in the Burnett region battle to fill organising committees.
Queensland Shows director for the Burnett, Lucy Connolly, said recruitment issues had gotten so bad in some parts of her sub-chamber that one society was almost forced to dissolve.
“Gayndah had called two AGMs [annual general meetings] and were still without a president, two vice presidents and a treasurer,” Ms Connolly said.
“A public meeting was then called to discuss the winding up of the show society and the dispersal of its assets.
“For a society that has run over 100 shows and Gayndah being the oldest town in Queensland this would have been a major loss to the entire community.”
Ms Connolly said over 50 people then attended a public meeting held last Wednesday, where community members unanimously agreed the show must go on.
Andrew Spinks was voted in as president, Stuart Kirk and Cameron Polzin as vice presidents and Jeffrey Kirk as treasurer.
Ms Connolly said she believed the issue was being felt in organisations across the state and wasn’t unique to Queensland Shows.
“It could either be that the people currently in the roles have moved away from the area or have held the position for a number of years and are wanting to retire,” Ms Connolly said.
Though she commended some “exceptional youth” in the Burnett, Ms Connolly added that “not everyone feels that they are able to offer that level of commitment to an organisation.”
The Burnett comprises of 10 affiliated show societies.
Other shows struggling to fill executive positions include Biggenden and Monto.
It’s a tough turn for a sub-chamber which in recent years had prided itself as the breeding ground for Miss Showgirl winners, claiming back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 with Donna Dingle (nee Baker) and Sophie Hughes.
Ms Connolly said education and engagement was the key to reinvigorating agricultural shows.
She said Queensland Shows, in conjunction with the Next Generation committee, were looking at hosting a workshop in the new year to assist new members with the running of a show.
It’s also one of the issues covered at the Queensland Shows biennial conference held at UQ Gatton on January 15-17.
The Burnett show season kicks off with Gayndah Show on April 9.
