33,000 through the gates: ‘Biggest Show in 25 years’
Rowan O’Hara: “I do believe that we are making it better and better every year.”
The 117th Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show was the biggest in decades and, according to Show Society President Rowan O’Hara, it was the best yet.
With it’s mix of agriculture, tradition, new-age entertainment and perfect weather the event drew 33,000 people through the gates.
“It was an amazing show,” said Mr O’Hara. “I mean, we can say that every year, but I do believe that we are making it better and better every year. We had the biggest crowds in at least 25 years.
“This year we had 33,000 people through the gate. So it’s definitely exciting. We are growing year on year – with a lot of work.
“We had a really good spread of entertainment. There’s been a few dramas, but our biggest dramas occur because we’re getting bigger every year.
“And I will say we had a number of people this year from all over Australia. I had people come up from South Australia, say they’d heard that this is one of the best shows in Queensland and best shows in Australia. I had two lots of entertainers tell me this was the best. They would class it as the best regional show in Australia.”
Despite Covid and the economy, Mr O’Hara said people were still keen to support local events.
“Things are obviously starting to get tough with interest rates and all that. But for a pretty cheap ticket on the gate, you can still have a really good day’s entertainment.”
He said the Show exemplified Nambour’s deep community spirit.
“One of the major highlights for me a few days before the show is watching all the volunteers come together and the hundreds of people that come together and put the show on. And watching them all work in their different sections. All year round we don’t hear from them. We might not see them. But they’re in the background, toiling away. And it comes to the point where it all comes together – and it works like a well-oiled machine.”
As well as the more spectacular attractions, Mr O’Hara said the purpose of the show remained to highlight the area’s rural roots.
“I mean, that’s our core focus and it’s what we are, is agriculture. Yes, we are about the fun and the motorbikes and the fireworks, and that. That’s a great part of it, an exciting part of it. But underneath all of that is obviously educating the community on agriculture and the community aspects of that.
“One of my favourite little stages is the education stage down here in the livestock area.
“So this year, we had everything from sheep shearing, and Guy McLean’s horsemanship show. We had beekeeping, we had gin tasting, and a discussion from Sunshine and Son’s about how gin’s made. We had the lapidary club down here doing a display. We had Maleny Botanic Gardens with their birds. So people could actually watch and learn and have the opportunity to engage and ask questions.”
Mr O’Hara said it was a relief to move on from the Covid difficulties of the last few years.
“We still obviously take our health plan very seriously. But it’s good to know that we can move on from that. And yeah, we can put a show on and we’re well and truly back to normal and growing.”
He thanked his committee, volunteers and the general public.
“The committee that worked behind the scenes tirelessly all year round, the hard workers there, the backbone of the show.
“Our volunteers are definitely a Godsend. We had a lot of new volunteers involved in it this year. We’re always looking for more. And it’s really exciting, not only to have them here as volunteers, but to get to know them as people, too, and friends.
“I’d also like to thank the general public of the Sunshine Coast who came to support us because without them we wouldn’t have a show.”
And, after a year of planning and the gates closed, there was still heaps to do for show administrators and volunteers.
“We’ve had a pretty big day cleaning up,” said Rowan on Monday. “We didn’t finish till 11.30 last night, pulling out all the lighting. And then, yeah, I was here at 6.30 this morning. There’s always heaps to do. We could always do with more volunteers!”