Nambour Show highlights the best of hinterland life
Chop, Chop! ... from left, Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show Society Office Manager Penny Daly, President Rowan O’Hara, former World Champion axeman Phil Campbell and Volunteer Tamzin Green can’t wait for the Show to begin.
For the past 12 months the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show committee has been quietly working behind the scenes on one of the largest annual events on the Coast.
To be held from Friday to Sunday June 11-13 at Nambour Showgrounds the hard work is paying off with organisers expecting crowds of 25,000 over three days.
“The Show is on track for a bumper year,” said Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show Society President Rowan O’Hara.
“Like any business, we have struggled on the back of a year of cancellations so we are hoping that the local community will get behind and give us the support we need in this, the Show’s 115th year.
Apart from the obligatory ferris wheel, fireworks, woodchopping, competitions, animals, sideshow alley and showbags some of the more spectacular highlights at this year’s event include Aussie FMX freestyle motorcross entertainment and the Eljay Freestyle Show featuring motorcycle, bicycle and comedy entertainment.
The Show will also play host this year to some of Australia’s best Show Jumpers as they work through final preparations for a World Cup qualifying event.
“COVID Compliance is a major consideration for us and we ask the public to be patient,” said Rowan.
“We have had to undertake some changes in the layout of the grounds in order to handle our expected crowds. And we are committed to delivering those traditional and unique Sunshine Coast Show experiences that the public and our exhibitors come back for year after year.”
Educating the little patrons
It may be the more spectacular highlights that draw the crowds to the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show at Nambour Showgrounds. But what keeps them coming back is the opportunity for families to get back in touch with nature, agriculture and to appreciate local offerings.
“It’s a chance to get out into the fresh air and wander around taking in the livestock, handcrafts, cookery and arts in the pavilions past the numerous stalls,” said Show Society Office Manager Penny Daly.
“If we can have children learning and being inspired by country life we’re doing well. We really try and blend the hinterland and the coast because there’s a whole other side to the region that people don’t realise.
“It’s really important to highlight the agricultural side and educate our little patrons and allow them to get up close with goats, alpacas, hold a chook.
“You can finish the day by finding a picnic spot on ‘The Green’ and watch the bright and exciting Fireworks as you munch on something from our diverse food court.
“Our Showgrounds really are beautiful. They’re lush and green and well set out. Here you can walk around the main ring and take everything in — the flow is natural and lovely.”
“This year we’ll also be catering for people with food allergies,” said Penny. “There will be a more diverse range to cater for people with specific needs such as gluten free.”
Woombye’s Sunshine & Sons will be a highlight of our Show Cellar this year with their unique Gin, Vodka and Rum and we also welcome Amrita Park Meadery with their super smooth nectar from local bees.”
Phil Campbell in action.
Wood chopping, dogs and fireworks
The three most popular questions Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show Society Office Manager Penny Daly gets asked are “when is the wood chop on, can I bring my dog and what time are the fireworks”.
“The best answer is go to the website,” laughed Penny. “But to save people time I can answer now ... You can only bring a dog if it’s an assistance dog. The Wood chop is on Friday and Saturday from 9.30am all day. The Fireworks are at 8pm Friday and Saturday and 7pm Sunday.”
“Wood chopping is not only popular at Nambour,” said wood chopper of 45 years and former world champion axman Phil Campbell. “It’s popular everywhere and in fact it’s the second largest attraction at Sydney Royal Easter Show after the show bags.”
Nambour is part of the show circuit that decides points for the year towards the Queensland Champion of Champions at the Brisbane Ekka. This year showgoers will be able to see current Standing Block World Champion Mitchell Argent and Double-Handed Sawing World Champion Jamie Head.
“It’s an important show to come to,” said Phil. “It brings all the best blokes here. It’s also a great arena.”
Penny agreed saying Nambour was an attractive venue for the big guns. “If you have a good steward you will tend to get a good field of competitors and we have a very good steward. “People sit in the grandstand and they can watch the wood chop in comfort and they can watch all the events in the main ring.”
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