General News
9 February, 2023
Show at risk, help needed
CAMPERDOWN’S annual Agriculture Show is at risk of not going ahead if more community members do not put their hands up to get involved.
CAMPERDOWN’S annual Agriculture Show is at risk of not going ahead if more community members do not put their hands up to get involved.
Show committee president Ashlea Church said the committee is calling on the wider community to get involved and attend the upcoming annual general meeting on Wednesday, March 1 at 7pm at the Camperdown Showgrounds.
“The committee have to make a decision whether to have a full show, an exhibitors show or nothing,” she said.
“We need at least six to eight new volunteers to ensure a full show.”
Mrs Church said the committee really needs individuals to step up and take on co-ordination of a section of the show.
She said the show was organised entirely by volunteers.
“Just to mow the grounds is eight hours; that’s all done by volunteers,” Mrs Church said.
“We start preparing for the show each year in May.”
The 2022 show – which was also the 150th – was heralded a success.
Mrs Church said last year’s show was the first after COVID forced the cancellation for two years.
“There was great public attendance and community support,” she said.
However, the committee needs the public support to continue.
Committee vice president Cheryl McMahon said the show society was “at a crossroads”.
“We need to investigate and explore future directions because all communities change and the business of agriculture has become technology based,” she said.
“In December the Camperdown Pastoral and Agricultural Society held a thank you gathering, bring many of its long-term supporters together to show their appreciation.
“The future of the showgrounds was discussed and a few ideas were put forward.”
Mrs McMahon said the cost of putting on an event like an agricultural show had escalated and the manpower to hold such an event was substantial.
“The society may need to look at different formats such as an exhibitors show or does the society hold an agricultural show at all and move to individual events that we have the manpower to run,” she said.
“Many showgrounds in Australia provide RV stop over, which brings in revenue and encourages to stop and spend some time in the area.
“The Camperdown Pastoral and Agricultural Society seeks input from the community regarding the showgrounds future, and is looking for volunteers to get involved.”
The land the showgrounds sits on was purchased by the Hampden and Heytesbury Pastoral and Agricultural Society in 1880s for just under 400 pounds and some of the buildings are now more than 100 years old.
Mrs McMahon said all of the mowing, maintenance and management at the showgrounds was provided by society volunteers.
Mrs Church said committee members gained a sense of achievement seeing their hard work come to fruition.
“I think our group is very diverse; we probably have one of the youngest and diverse committees around,” she said.
“Put your hand up to help out at any showground, we’re not the only show committee struggling for new members.”