Wondai Show Society president Dennis Morris joins Governor Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey in cutting the Centenary cake
Show Society member Elsie Knight made the Centenary cake

September 4, 2017

Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey AC added a vice-regal touch to Wondai’s Centenary Show at the weekend … but he’s not the first Governor to have dropped in over the years.

His Excellency told the crowd at the official opening that he was actually the fifth State Governor to have opened the Wondai Show “but I am the only one to open the 100th Wondai Show!”

He said the first Wondai Show was held in 1911, but several years were missed because of “drought, economic depression and war”.

Governor de Jersey expressed his very warm thanks to all the volunteers who have served the Wondai Show over so many decades.

South Burnett QCAS delegate Richard O’Neill said that since the first agricultural show was held in Queensland in 1861, only 41 have achieved their centenary.

He congratulated Wondai AP&I President Dennis Morris on the achievement.

“I could never have had a finer executive group. Their work has been truly spectacular,” Dennis said.

“And the grounds have been refurbished, entirely financed within our group.”

A special parade of vintage fashion followed the official opening.

The dresses, supplied by Linda Silburn, featured local “models”, including Cr Kathy Duff who shocked onlookers by wearing a green outfit.

The Grand Parade featured some of the best entrants from around the grounds.

Competition was fierce in many categories with entrants attracted by the prestige of the centenary show.

The stud beef competition had the largest number of entrants seen for many years, and there was also good interest shown in the dairy competition.

There was strong turnout of competitors in the equestrian categories, too, with a restricted ring attracting many younger riders.

The open showjumping and ridden classes were also popular.

Always a favourite with spectators are the harness ponies, but this year two Clydesdales also strutted their stuff, pulling a sled and wagons.

In the Pavilion, a colourful display of cut flowers greeted visitors. There were also a large number of entries in the culinary, produce and craft sections.

This year, 18 classes were dubbed “Heritage” classes, eg a vintage style tea cosy or heaviest pumpkin. The winners of these classes won a special prize and a Centenary rosette.

Some of the noisier attractions were the tractor pull and chainsaw racing.

In the chainsawing competition, stewards ran a 50/50 Race to commemorate the 100th Show, where both the cutter and the saw they used had to be over 50 years old, and it attracted 10 competitors.

A broken axle in western NSW was the only noticeable hiccup on the day, preventing some of the sideshow attractions from arriving but no one seemed to mind.

The day was topped off by the Centenary Country Muster in front of the grandstand.

Patrons enjoyed a barbecue and bar as the music sounded out across the racetrack.

The centenary event also marked the retirement of two Wondai Show stalwarts … President Dennis Morris plans to resign at the end of the year, and Show Secretary Noreen Brier, who has moved out of the area, will resign at the Society’s Annual General Meeting after wrapping up this year’s event.

Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies (QCAS) president Estelle Drynan presented Wondai Agricultural Pastoral & Industrial Society (the formal name for the Wondai Show Society) president Dennis Morris and South Burnett QCAS representative Richard O’Neill with a commemorative plaque
Governor Paul de Jersey presented a Life Membership badge to Ivy Murray …
… and one to John Rutledge; both have been long-term volunteers with the Show Society
Andrew Perkins, left, couldn’t be present during the official ceremony to receive his Life Membership badge from Governor Paul de Jersey because he was hard at work in the cattle ring as a steward; Andrew and His Excellency are pictured with Andrew’s parents Jan and Kev Perkins, who are also Wondai AP&I Life Members (Photo: Ros Heit)
Georgia Graham, from Kingaroy, and 2017 South Burnett stud beef parader Mikaela Ross, from Goomeri, with the Supreme Champion of the Wondai Show, “Bowenfels Bandos Boy” from the Glenrae Pastoral Co in Kingaroy … Bandos Boy was the Reserve Junior Champion Angus bull at the 2016 Ekka
Uniting Church minister Rev Dr David Ferguson is also a dab hand in the kitchen … he came first in the Diabetic Cake category with his fruit cake
Jason Frecklington and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with Air Commodore Mark Gower OAM, the official secretary to Governor Paul de Jersey AC
Marion Campbell and South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell with Cr Ros Heit
Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd and Cr Kathy Duff chatted over lunch
Leigh Day, from Wondai, with the Governor’s wife, Mrs Kaye de Jersey
Junior Rural Ambassador Cameron Routledge, Rural Ambassador Josh Retschlag, Miss Wondai Showgirl Bianca Wenck and Junior Rural Ambassador runner-up Poppy Rose
Having fun at the show … Michelle Alberts with Danielle 3, Jayden, 6, and Deegan, 4, from Wondai
The Wondai Town & District Band’s oldest member, former Wondai Mayor Percy Iszlaub, was in action with his musical colleagues
Grey nomads Lesley O’Loughlin-Schultz and Max Clowes, from Victoria, thought the Wondai Show sounded interesting so they made a point of coming along
June Bingham and Gwen Olm, from the Wondai Woodcrafters, were demonstrating different wood crafts including fretwork and pyrography

* * *

2017 Wondai Show Pavilion Results

Farm Produce
Exhibitor Most Points – Bevin Black

Fruit & Vegetables
Exhibitor Most Points Fruit – Clive Weier
Exhibitor Most Points Vegetables – Justin Schultz
Best Exhibit Junior Division – Harry Thompson

Floriculture
Champion Bloom – Kayleen Taylor
Champion Exhibit Decorative Work – Lyn Hill
Best Exhibit Junior Division – Macie Zischke

Culinary
Champion Exhibit – Peter Lloyd-Jones
Best Junior Exhibit – Amelia Dalton

Home Preserves
Exhibitor Most Points – Mavis Charles

Needlework
Best Exhibit Fancywork and Sewing – E Hansen
Best Exhibit Knitting – Helen Young
Best Exhibit Crochet – Ivy Murray
Best Exhibit Patchwork – Shelley Gibson

Handcraft
Champion Exhibit – Shelley Gibson

Photography
Champion Print – Heather Stanton
Best Junior Exhibit – Cameron Rutledge

Fine Arts
Champion Exhibit – Kerry Kelly

Lego/Duplo
Heritage Class – At the Show – Charli Thomas

* * *

2017 Wondai Show Livestock Results

Dairy Cattle
Champion Cow over 3 years – Ledger family, “Riverwood Coral 3”
Reserve Champion – C & M Vonhoff, “Myall Pimp Rona”

Champion Heifer under 3 years (CR Marquardt OAM Memorial)
– English & Noakes family , “Eacham Park Necklace”
Reserve Champion – Crawford family, “Glenvillan Lissa”

Champion Juvenile Female under 2 years (J & J English Memorial)
– English & Noakes family, “Eacham Park Beauty 36”
Reserve Champion – Crawford family, “Glenvillan Liberty”

Supreme Champion Female (John Evans Memorial) – Ledger family, “Riverwood Coral 3”

Mrs A V Smith Memorial Trophy (Most Successful Exhibitor Dairy Cattle)
1st – English & Noakes family
2nd – Ledger family
3rd – Crawford amily

Young Handlers (15 – 24 yrs)
1st – Emily Haak
2nd – Dana Eschback

Young Judges (14 – 25 yrs)
1st – Bryan Noakes
2nd – Emily Haak
3rd – Dana Eschback

* * *

Stud Beef Cattle

Tropical
Junior Champion Male – Franz family, “Darr Creek Nuisance”
Reserve Champion Male – D Jefferies & D Priddle, “Berwick B Major”
Senior Champion Male – M Sirrett, “Diamond Valley Keen Edge”
Reserve Champion Male – Troy Lindsay, “Toy Boy Overdrive”
Junior Champion Female – D Priddle & D Jefferies, “J&F Berwick Mae”
Reserve Champion Female – Linet Pincott, “Pineview Abbey”
Senior Champion Female – M Sirrett, “D Valley Miss Foundation”
Reserve Champion Female – Hunter family, “Hunterview Miss Bev”

European
Junior Champion Male – Evans family, “Jen-Daview Mr Pinnacle”
Reserve Champion Male – T Anderson & B Evans, “Trinity Vale Marquis”
Senior Champion Male – C Braithwaite/G Perrett, “Midas Laramie”
Reserve Champion Male – Evans family, “Jen-Daview Lambrusca”
Junior Champion Female – Jefferies & Priddle, “Berwick Mae”
Reserve Champion Female – Franz family, “Oakwood Ticklez”
Senior Champion Female – Evans family, “Jen-Daview Liquor”
Reserve Champion Female – Evans family, “Maryvale Luscious”

British
Junior Champion Male – Glenrae Pastoral, “Bowenfels Son of Steel M10”
Reserve Champion Male – Glenrae Pastoral, “Bowenfels Stainless Steel M11”
Senior Champion Male – Glenrae Pastoral, “Bowenfels Bandos Boy L8”
Reserve Champion Male – Hansen Rasmussen, Shell-Dee “Rolling Thunder”
Junior Champion Female – Plowman family, “Ruby Ridge Mackenzie M3”
Reserve Champion Female – Glenrae Pastoral, “Bowenfels Special Steel M7”
Senior Champion Female – Glenrae Pastoral, “Bowenfels Jedda J17”
Reserve Champion Female – Glenrae Pastoral, “Kelsey K9”
Supreme Champion Beef Exhibit – Glenrae Pastoral, “Bowenfels Bandos Boy”
Reserve Champion Beef Exhibit – Priddle & Jefferies, “Berwick Mae”
Supreme Champion Best Led Steer/Heifer – “Dynamo” from Wahroonga Led Steers
Reserve Champion Led Steer – “Red” from Dalby State High School

* * *

Horses

Ring 1
Champion Thoroughbred – Christensen family
Reserve Champion Thoroughbred – Frohloff family
Champion ANSA – Christensen family
Reserve Champion ANSA – Christine Handford
Champion Quarterhorse – Kathy Donald
Reserve Champion Quarterhorse – Carly Augustine
Champion Standard Bred – Felicity Reinke
Reserve Standard Bred – Felicity Reinke
Champion Australian Stock Horse – Kathy Donald
Reserve Australian Stock Horse – Renae Knapp
Champion Dilute Horse – Jaycie Trace
Reserve Champion Dilute Horse – Hayley Neil
Champion Heavy Horse – Maria Hughston
Reserve Champion Heavy Horse – Morgan Harrison
Champion Any Other Breed – Christine Handford
Reserve Champion Any Other Breed – Brooke Smith
Supreme Led of Show – Christine Handford
Champion Ridden Show Hack – William Knapp
Reserve Champion Ridden Show Hack – Jessica Spencer
Champion Ridden Show Hunter Hack – Felicity Reinke
Reserve Champion Ridden Show Hunter Hack – Leah Frohloff
Brian Kemp Memorial Champion Galloway Hack – Kathy Donald
Reserve Champion Galloway Hack – Brooke Smith
Champion Ridden Show Hunter Galloway – Ashlee Christensen
Reserve Champion Ridden Show Hunter Galloway – Brooke Smith
Champion Adult Rider – Brooke Smith
Reserve Champion Adult Rider – Kathy Donald
Champion Novice of Show – Jessica Spencer
Supreme Hack of Show – William Kropp
Supreme Hunter of Show – Ashlee Christensen

Ring 2
Champion Welsh Pony – Christensen family
Reserve Champion Welsh Pony – Baylee Evans
Champion Saddle Pony Colt/Stallion – Christensen family
Reserve Champion Saddle Pony – Baylee Evans
Champion Australian Riding Pony – Christensen family
Reserve Champion Australian Riding Pony – Baylee Evans
Champion Arabian Shannaya Sainsbury
Reserve Champion Arabian – Vanessa Kissick
Champion Any Other Breed Pony – Sarina Barber
Reserve Champion Any Other Breed Pony – Rachael Cooper
Champion Ridden Show Ponies Classes 78-81 – Ashley Christensen
Reserve Champion Ridden Show Ponies Classes 78-81 – Claudia Jones
Champion Ridden Hunter Ponies Classes 82-85 – Kylie Raymont
Reserve Champion Ridden Hunter Ponies Classes 82-85 – Tari Barnett
Champion Junior Rider – Tarie Bowden
Reserve Champion Junior Rider – Mia Marchant
Champion Novice of Show – Jessica Spencer
Supreme Hack of Show – William Croft
Supreme Hunter of Show – Ashley Christensen
Champion Harness Pony/Horse – Jan Young
Reserve Champion Harness Pony/Horse – Racheal Cooper
Highpoint Heavy Horse of Show – Maria Hughston

Ring 3 – Restricted
Champion Led Pony/Galloway/Hack (Classes 99-100)– Eliza Thompson
Reserve Champion Led Pony/Galloway/Hack – Pippa Polla-Mounter
Champion Hack (Classes 104-06) – Jenna Lui
Reserve Champion Hack – Olivia Field
Champion Lady, Gent, Girl or Boy Rider – Janine Dost
Reserve Champion Lady, Gent, Girl or Boy Rider – Gemma Sanford

* * *

Show Jumping

Open Junior AM5
1. Amy Steele
2. Jasmine Holland

Height Class AM3 75cms
1. Len Rice
2. William Kropp

Height Class AM3 90cms
1. Chelsea Jefferies
2. Len Rice

Height Class AM3 1.05cms
1. Peter Stewart
2. William Kropp

Height Class AM3 1.15cms
1. Lisa Harris
2. Chelsea Jefferies

Wondai Show Jumping Championship Grand Prix
1. K. Afford
2. K. Afford

Wondai Show Six Bar
1. John Robertson
2. Chelsea Jefferies

High Point Senior Show Jump Rider of Show – Kim Afford
High Point Junior Show Jump Rider of Show – Chelsea Jefferies

* * *

Chainsaw Section

Three generations of the Pearce family participated in the Chainsaw Races at this year’s Wondai Show, while a fourth generation too young to compete looked on: Lloyd Pearce, Daryl Pearce, Bryce Pearce and (front) young Chayse Pearce (Photo: Tamzin Pearce)

78cc Modified Production Speed Race
1st: Trevor Baker (Aratula)
2nd: Jason Chisholm (Tenterfield)
3rd: Daniel Hedges (Wondai)

100cc Modified Production Speed Race
1st: Will Hutchins (Proston)
2nd: Trevor Baker (Aratula)
3rd: Jason Chisholm (Tenterfield)
4th: Wayne Donovan (Crows Nest)

Open Modified Production Speed Race
1st: Trevor Baker (Aratula)
2nd: Daryl Pearce (Wondai)
3rd: Wayne Donovan (Crows Nest)
4th: Ashley Yaxley (Crows Nest)

090 John O’Sullivan Memorial Speed Race
1st: Wayne Donovan (Crows Nest)
2nd: Will Hutchins (Proston)
3rd: Wally Krause (Eidsvold)
4th: Brad Scorgi (Chinchilla)

Disc Stacking
1st: Jason Chisholm (Tenterfield)
2nd: Will Hutchins (Proston)
3rd: Matty Osbourne (Kendall, NSW)
4th: Daniel Hedges (Wondai)

100cc Post Rip
1st: Wayne Donovan (Crows Nest)
2nd: Daryl Pearce (Wondai)
3rd: Trevor Baker (Aratula)
4th: Matty Osbourne (Kendall, NSW)

Blue Ribbon Grain & Pulses OUTLAW Post Rip
1st: Trevor Baker (Aratula)
2nd: Daryl Pearce (Wondai)
3rd: Ashley Yaxley (Crows Nest)
4th: Wayne Donovan (Crows Nest)

Jack & Jill Post Rip
1st: Wayne & Teresa Donovan (Crows Nest)
2nd: Will & Donna Hutchins (Proston)
3rd: Daryl & Tamzin Pearce (Wondai)
4th: Trevor & Dorothy Baker (Aratula)

[UPDATED with correction]


 

One Response to "Right Royal Celebration At Wondai"

  1. Thank you Anne and Dafyd for your coverage of the 100th Show. It was certainly a great day with a lot of past residents returning for the event.

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