PITTSWORTH SHOW SOCIETY INC.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007
(photographs courtesy of The Pittsworth Sentinel)
Ladies and
Gentleman, it gives me much pleasure to present the Annual
Report and Balance Sheet for the year ending 30th June 2007.
Where do I start? The 2007 Pittsworth Show was the
celebration of our 100th Show. A major milestone in the
history of the Pittsworth Show Society and the Pittsworth
Shire. Since the humble beginnings in 1902 as a Ploughing
Competition, the Show has matured into one of the best
Country Shows in Queensland.
The extra work
that you the Committee put into this event was nothing short
of a miracle, and I congratulate you all on this fine
effort. Starting well before the Show, Eddie and Val
Fuhlbohm with Milton and Cheryl Fowler organized a Coach
Tour around various properties in the Shire. Over one
hundred very satisfied guests visited farms ranging from
broad acre grain enterprises, the Denning Families Horse
operation, to cattle and sheep, plus squab and dairying. A
very enjoyable day was had by all, and seemed to set the
stage for the success of the 100th Show. The Show Ball and
Dinner Dance was a huge success, and over 300 patrons saw
Hannah Thomas crowned Miss Show Girl, Jessica Hintz won the
Junior Award, and the Charity winner was Nakita Kohler. The
ten girls raised over $7600.00 for which on your behalf we
thank them, their parents and sponsors.
Highlights.
The weather preceding and during the Show was superb.
The Town had received over 100mm of rain about a fortnight
prior to, and there was around 10mm for show week. With
drought stalking the majority of the Shire, the Grounds had
never looked better, Ground Space was full to over flowing,
entries in all sections were at record or near record
levels, and the public responded accordingly. Extra efforts
included the Centenary Gates, [the new entrance gates were
kindly made and erected by Moore Trailers, Lionel Moore and
Family, and were officially Opened by The Hon Tim Fisher].
The placing of a Time Capsule inside the Ticket Office at
the front gate to be opened in 50 years time, the Vintage
Tractor and Truck display, organized by Paul Rigney, started
with a parade through the Main Street and was a huge
success.
Mayor Ros
Scotney unveiled the sign for the new Factory Street Cattle
Shed {costing close to $60,000.00}; the Show was Officially
Opening by the Hon Tim Fisher with the Guard of Honor being
formed by the 11th Light Horse Troop. The Pittsworth High
School Cadets conducting the Flag Raising Ceremony, and Show
Girl entrant Ashley Dieckman singing the National Anthem.
During the Official Opening Ceremony, the Society was
presented with two Plaques to mark the Centenary Show. One
from the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies, and
one from the Showman’s Guild of Australasia. The guild was
represented by Mr. Noel McGregor whose family have had Side
Shows at the Pittsworth Show for over 50 years. Feature
Shows were conducted in the Stud Sheep Section with Suffolk
being the chosen breed, and the Stud Beef Section featured
Poll Herefords. In the Ring there was a Supreme Champion
Hack award to celebrate the Centenary Show.
The Show in
general. Firstly let me congratulate our
Secretary/Treasurer Jenny Green for the outstanding job that
she did in the organizing of the Centenary Show. The
Committee has been preparing for nearly two years to present
this special Show, and much of this load fell on her
shoulders. Jenny totally re organized the Schedule; with the
help of Bronte Harris they opened a Web Site, {www.pittsworthshowsociety.com.au},
enabling people to access our Schedule. Jenny’s efforts were
a major contribution to the success of this important event.
Here I will mention the Plaques
 that
were presented to the Champions etc in each Section.
Ninety-six of these 6-inch ceramic tiles were fired with a
depiction of a Ploughing Horse and various other symbols to
represent the Heritage, both past and present of the
Pittsworth Show. Each was engraved with the individual Award
and they were mounted in a wooden base made by the
Pittsworth Wood Crafters, {here I thank them for this
generous contribution}.
The design was featured on the front cover of the new
Schedule and Prize Cards throughout the Show. The plaque is
something that I was very proud of, and some competitors
were overwhelmed to the state of tears upon winning one of
these very special awards. It is planned to keep the design
as the Pittsworth Show Logo for the future.
Our Pavilion,
which has for a long time, been one of our Show highlights,
surpassed all expectations. Eddie Fuhlbohm and his willing
band of Stewards and helpers seemed to go the extra yards to
present something special for the 100th Show. A special
mention here of Merv and Joy Vohland for the wonderful
display incorporating the Show Logo in the Fruit and
Vegetable Section.
On a very sad
note I have to report of the passing of Mervin Vohland since
our last Show. His presence will be sadly missed, both as a
Steward in the Dairy Section, and in the Pavilion. On your
behalf, we extend our Sympathies to Joy and her Family. On a
more positive note, Merv and Joy, along with long serving
Pavilion Stewards Daph Zeismer and Leone LeeArcher were
presented with Life Membership to the Society in recognition
of their many years of dedicated service.
The other outstanding displays in the Pavilion were the
Memorabilia and Dairy Displays. Some of the items included a
Silver Pocket Watch, which had been presented to the first
President, Mr. J J Daniel when the Committee was formed. I
would like to thank his Grand Daughter, Dawn Daniel for
donating the Silver Watch along with a framed Photograph of
J J Daniel and his son Norman, another longtime stalwart of
the Society. On a personal note I was very proud to accept
another Silver Pocket watch from our Patron Mr. Doug Bailey
at the conclusion of the Official Opening, and I thank the
Committee for this thoughtful gesture. Other items were
Silver Campdraft Cups won at Pittsworth by Archie and Wilton
Trott, a replica Competition Plough that was made by a
forebear of the Fowler Family after winning one of the early
Ploughing Matches. With the other sections of the Pavilion
also putting extra efforts into their displays it was
probably the best ever pavilion in our 100 years of Showing.
Cattle. There was good Showing of Dairy Cattle,
but the outstanding response was in the Stud Beef Section,
with over 300 head. The Poll Hereford Feature Show, and the
new Factory St Shed made this Section one of the best on the
grounds. The Junior Handlers classes, held on the Friday
evening were a huge success, and is something that I am sure
will become a regular feature of the Show.
I would, on your
behalf, congratulate Kevin Loveday and his band of Stewards
for the excellent way in which the Stud Cattle are run. I
would also thank him for his contribution to the trials and
tribulations of the saga during the construction of the new
Shed. I am sure he had a few more grey hairs after the
worries of this job.
The Poultry
and Cage Birds continue to draw a great number of keen
competitors.
In the Prime
Sheep and Lamb Section we saw a massive increase in
numbers. The highlight was Peter Hoods Champion Pen being
sold to Lionel Moore for $260.00 a head. In the Stud Sheep,
with their Suffolk Feature Show, over 200 head were
exhibited. This Section attracted many High School entries
from as far away as Brisbane and Interstate, and seems each
year to go from strength to strength. Extensions to the
Sheep Shed will have to be investigated. The Boer Goats also
had good numbers.
Horse numbers were up to their usual standard with
excellent entries in the Show jumping. Chief Ring Steward
Mark Droney is to be congratulated for the smooth running of
the ring events. A highlight was the Mitavite Supreme
Champion Hack of the Show.
In the Wood Chops entries were well up on previous
years.
 Des
and Ashley Christiansen put in a huge effort to provide
entertainment throughout the day.
The ANZ
Marquee on the Village Green once again provided a venue
for various entertainments during the Show. I would like to
especially thank the Broxburn Music Club for their part, and
Janelle Collier for the Lilly Pilly Fashion parade and for
her help with the Showgirls. The Marquee was also the venue
for the Crop Competition presentation of awards.
I would like to make a special mention of the Rotary and
Lions Clubs. Their efforts were especially appreciated, with
both the Bar and the BBQ returning excellent figures. The
cooperation between our organizations is very strong, and we
look forward to their involvement in the future.
The Night Programme. This has become one of the major
draw cards of the Pittsworth Show. This year was no
exception. The old style bending races, Bush Fire brigades,
the display of the 11th Light Horse Troop and much more,
combined with the modern motorbike action and a mammoth
Fireworks display, kept the huge crowd well entertained.
Sparkey’s Fireworks excelled themselves for the 100th Show.
 This
year outside Trade Exhibits were very well booked.
Local exhibitors such as Raff’s Farm Supplies, Lindenbergs,
Mitre 10 and others combined with Machinery dealers
Vanderfields and Sunstate Ag, saw the grounds full to
bursting. Along with the Ute Show and the Vintage Machinery,
Patrons had plenty to look at. Here I would on your behalf,
thank all of the generous Sponsors who contribute to the
success of this Society. With out their Support we, the
committee, could not have staged such a successful Centenary
Show. To the Public who also support their local show, we
cannot run without your support.
As I mentioned
at the Opening of the Centenary Gates, I only had to ask for
something to be done, and without any hesitation, people got
together and helped. Like the people who helped paint the
Ticket Office at the front gate, and the young girls who
repainted the Secretary Office Sign. We surely live in a
great community. On a political note, I am not totally
against Shire Amalgamation, but am very fearful in the long
term as to what could happen to our Show Society as the
consequences of the make up of the new area. Time will be
the only judge of this? No one expected the changes to be so
broad and far reaching!
Finances.
The past year saw record spending on Ground Improvements;
the new Cattle Shed was one of the largest projects that
this Society has undertaken. The Centenary Show saw us with
record Gate Takings of just under $13,000.00, which was a
very pleasing result. This figure reflected in the excellent
returns from the Bar and BBQ. Pavilion rent, Ground rent and
entry fees were also up on previous years. Another positive
is the reduction for the third year in a row of our Public
Liability and other Insurance. Combined with record
Sponsorship and Donations of nearly $25,000.00, the 100th
Show could only be described as a roaring success. Again I
must congratulate you, the Committee, and Jenny for the good
work that this report shows.
In conclusion. As you all know, I have decided to
step down from the position of President. I have held this
for nineteen years, and am of the opinion that the time has
come for someone else to take the Society forward with new
ideas and enthusiasm. Since I joined the Committee in 1980,
much has been accomplished. This could only have been
possible with the help of many good people. I would like to
pay a special tribute to Audrey Fischer, who was the
Secretary for 28 years. Her efforts and then the work of
Jenny Green made my tasks a whole lot easier. The list of
people that I have been involved with, in what is nearly
thirty years on this Committee, and who have also
contributed to the amazing success of the Pittsworth Show
Society, is far to long to list here. To all of the people
who have been, or still are involved with the Show, I extend
on behalf of Cecelia and myself, our heartfelt thanks. We
will stay on the Committee. I will go back to my first
involvement, the Show jumping Ring. I wish you all the very
best for the future, and know that whoever takes on the
responsibilities as President, will, as I did, inherit a
vibrant and efficient Society, in a very strong financial
position, which will in turn make their task much easier.
It gives me much pleasure to move this report for Adoption.
Robin Krieg.
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