Wondai Shines Despite The Rain

20150829 2015 Wondai Show — 2015 Miss Wondai Showgirl Caitlin Routledge hitched a ride in the Grand Parade with Dennis and Diane Bagnall, from Ipswich

September 1, 2015

Everyone in the country loves the rain, except perhaps the organisers of the South Burnett’s annual shows.

Even Member for Callide, Jeff Seeney, who officially open the show, wished the thunderstorms away.

“I hope the rain stays away this afternoon and comes back tomorrow with a vengeance,” he said during his speech.

The local MP achieved half his wish … the rain did stay away for most of the morning, and by the time the popular bullride began in the evening, most of the downpours had finished.

Show secretary Noreen Brier said it was great to have the woodchopping back at the show after a break of eight or nine years.

She also was very pleased with the gate numbers as people had flocked to the show despite the dark clouds hanging over the arena.

Noreen said the cattle entries had been particularly strong, on the back of the recent Ekka, and there had also be a strong showing in the Pavilion competitions.

Excellent nominations had been received for the bull ride, with 23 riders registered in the Open.

A special team of riders had also come up from Nudgee College in Brisbane just to take part.

The crowd gathered at the fence to watch the Grand Parade which immediately followed the official opening.

The parade was led off by members from the Gympie 5th Light Horse re-enactment troop as an Anzac Centenary tribute.

UPDATE September 2: A rodeo clown injured during Saturday night’s bull riding event was flown to the PA Hospital in Brisbane on Sunday with a neck injury. He is expected to make a full recovery.