Sarah Wirth, from Dalby State High School, with “Bugsy”, the top Led Steer of the show
Flair Action Riders put on an exciting display of trick motorbike and pushbike riding  

September 3, 2013

The gate was up, the bar was up … in fact, everything was up! The organisers of the 96th Wondai Show are smiling after a very successful show at the weekend.

Show Society secretary-treasurer Liz Stewart said the day was “absolutely brilliant” and the CMC Bull Ride in the evening was also a huge success.

Top spot was taken out by well-known rider Jeff Moretto, from Narangba.

The dog show was huge, with 600 canines on show on Saturday (the South Burnett Kennel Club held a separate show in conjunction with the Wondai Show, on Friday and Sunday).

Post-ripping was moved to a new part of the showground site this year which provided the competitors and spectators with more room.

The competition proved very popular.

“There were more entries in the post-ripping than in the last championships,” Liz said.

“The new site is really a much better place; it will be held there from now on.”

A popular attraction for the crowd was the performances by the Flair Action Riders.

The stunt riders put on an exciting performance of jumps and daredevil riding acts on motorbikes and pushbikes in front of the grandstand.

A new equestrian event this year was the carriages, which competed in a number of disciplines in the centre arena.

Liz said the concept worked well and she hoped it could continue to grow.

In the pavilion, entries were down a little due to weather issues.

Recent frosts reduced the number of entries in the Floral competitions but Liz said the stewards had noted that the quality of the blooms that were entered was excellent.

The show was officially opened by Agriculture Minister John McVeigh who congratulated the organisers and volunteers.

During the official opening ceremony, long-time show stalwart Noreen Brier was presented with a Life Membership pin for the Wondai AP&I Society.

Noreen is the third generation of her family to receive the honour.

Her late father Clarrie Marquardt was Show Society president for 22 years and before that, her grandfather Augie Marquardt filled the same role.

Noreen was presented with the pin on what would have been her father’s 85th birthday.

Stewart Lamb, from Coverty, took out 1st place and champion in the Belgian Duccle section with his belgian Porcelain Duccle

Re-enactment Light Horse riders took part in the Grand Parade

The showgirls hitched a ride on a buggy in the Grand Parade
A strong contingent of beef and dairy cattle took part in the Grand Parade  
Wondai AP&I life member Gil Smith with Agriculture Minister John McVeigh, who officially opened the show, and South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann
Russell Dower had his bright red McCormick-Deering Farmall tractor in the Grand Parade

Kathy Hodges and “Coco Pops”, from Maryborough, were 3rd in Precision Driving 

Judy Sanders, from Nanango,
with “Lethal Rose”
Sydney Hewison, from Kingaroy, with “Roseneath Fable”, came first in the Precision Driving section
2013 Miss Showgirl Runner-Up Amanda Weber, Miss Showgirl Jessica George, Wondai AP&I President Dennis Morris and Junior Rural Ambassador Gabrielle Beutel

Show society president Dennis Morris, right, presented Noreen Brier with a Life Membership; her father Clarrie Marquardt and grandfather Augie Marquardt were also life members 

Hailey Harvey, from Wondai, and Kyra-Clare Uren, from Cloyna, were selling raffle tickets on behalf of the Wheatlands State School in the show pavilion
In the “don’t try this at home” category … the Flair Action Riders demonstrate how not to ride a cycle

Former Wondai mayor Percy Iszlaub and Glenn Kerkow, from Wondai 

Winston Burrows sang along with the Wondai & District Town Band
Wondai & District Band members Jane Iszlaub, Michael Evans and Margaret Hoger with Felicity Jorgensen, from Wondai 
Lucy, 4, and Hannah, 7, with mum Stacy Needer, from Crawford, were enjoying a show day treat

Video by Qld Country Rodeo: