By Jenel Hunt
They came early. They came late. They did whatever they could to sidestep the sweltering heat of the midday hours, but Granite Belt people flocked to the local show all the same.
The crowds might have melted away during the hottest hours of each day and perhaps the show couldn’t boast a record crowd this year but it was definitely the happiest crowd he’d seen for a long time, said Stanthorpe Agricultural Society president Brett Boatfield. He said he was particularly thrilled with the buzz of the show, which was held from February 3 to 5 at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds.
“It was something we hadn’t felt for a few years. There was a particularly good vibe this year,” he said.
“You can always tell how good a show is from the people who run the sideshow alley. They’re like a human barometer.
“There were 14 major rides plus little fun games and merry-go-round for the little kids. From one side to the other, it was just packed. The showmen were happy, so I knew it was good, but the kids themselves kept running up to me and saying, ‘Boaty, this is so much fun!’.
The 2023 Bendigo Bank Stanthorpe Show was officially opened by Don Gaske, the chairman of the Granite Belt Bendigo Bank board. He commented that the bank’s association with the Stanthorpe Agricultural Society had started in 2016, the year the community bank opened in Stanthorpe.
“Our association has built over the years and this year as the major sponsor of the show we can see how the Stanthorpe Show is not only an integral part of the town but also the Queensland show circuit.“
Member for Maranoa David Littleproud was also there, complimenting primary producers in particular for what they were doing to keep the economy afloat while much of Australia struggled.
“It was primary producers who actually paid the bills for the nation over the past two years. Australian agriculture for the first time is going to go over $80 billion worth of production. That’s an enormous effort considering what we’ve gone up against with fires, floods and droughts. It was you who made sure our nation could still afford to pay doctors and hospitals and schools. This region should be proud of what it has done towards achieving that. Those who enjoy a meal and put their clothes on every day should understand and respect the hard work that is put in by the people who produce the beef and lamb and wool and horticulture,” he said.
Stanthorpe is the first show on the Queensland circuit and is known for its diversity including fine arts, poultry, ute show, cookery sections, beer entries, wine sections and a huge horticulture section that always has the most amazing fruit and vegetable displays using local produce. Live music kept the crowds entertained on Friday and Saturday nights over at the Wine Pavilion where many people enjoyed the long-held Italian tradition of having a plate of pasta at the show.
The action was nearly non-stop. Showgoers cheered on the Aussie FMX team and their amazing stunts, the Atkins Glen Mower Speedway, racing pigs and barrel racing for motorcyclists from youngsters on peewee bikes to adults who kicked up the dust as they rounded the barrels. The children adored the puppets and magic tricks and fell in love with the cuties at the animal nursery. Then there was gingerbread house decorating, balloon twisters, a hula-hooping stilt walker and even a reptile display. Traditional competitions so beloved of country shows weren’t left out either, with woodchop, chainsaw contests, dressage and showjumping all getting their moments in the limelight.
Of course it wasn’t all light-hearted fun. There was very serious competition among competitors for the stud cattle, beef cattle, prime lamb, carcass and elite wool judging.
It was a good opportunity to have the official opening of the newest shed on the site, now the home of the Stanthorpe Historic Vehicle Machinery Group. A rather sombre moment was shared when a plaque was unveiled at the Broadcast Box to honour the late Peter Blundell (PC Blundell) for all the announcing work he did over a number of decades with his golden voice.
Sheep dog trials were held across the three days.
“The sheepdog trials were massive. A lot of people come to Stanthorpe just for that,” said Brett.
“The subcommittees, the volunteers and the sponsors put on a great show. It’s a credit to them. And for me, one of the best parts is Sparky’s Fireworks Spectacular on both Friday and Saturday nights. It was brilliant.”
Social scene, pages 20-21
