August 29, 2017
Excitement is building for the Wondai Show’s centenary outing, which will be held at the Wondai Showgrounds this Friday and Saturday.
As part of the lead-up to this milestone event, the Wondai AP&I Society recently crowned its Miss Showgirl, Rural Ambassador and Junior Rural Ambassador for 2017-18.
They are Bianca Wenck, Josh Retschlag and Cameron Routledge.
Although Wondai is the last agricultural show held in the South Burnett every calendar year, in reality it is the first show of the new season, which begins immediately after Ekka.
Because of this, Bianca and Josh will be going on to represent Wondai at the South Burnett Sub Chamber finals held mid-way through 2018.
The first Wondai Show was held on a Wednesday and Thursday in May, 1911 – a date chosen because it was close to a full moon to ensure patrons could find their way back home on horseback or in buggies.
In the 106 years since then, there have been several times when the Show hasn’t been held due to either drought, depression or war.
But this year it will be making its hundredth appearance, and the Wondai AP&I Society promise patrons a show to remember.
Activities will kick off at 8:00am on Friday morning with the Burnett Kennel Club’s annual 3-day Champion Dog Show.
At 9:00am, judges will begin judging this year’s pavilion entries.
And at 5:00pm, the stud beef cattle young judges and paraders competitions will be held in the main ring, accompanied by a barbecue in the cattle area.
Admission to any of Friday’s activities is free.
Saturday, though, is the Show’s main day and it will offer guests a non-stop program of action that will kick off at 8:30am with the judging of dogs, horses, beef cattle, stud cattle, dairy cattle and poultry.
At 9:00am, the pavilion, side shows and trade displays will open.
This year there’ll also be displays of antique tractors and stationary engines in the grounds, along with an arts and crafts display underneath the grandstand.
At 9:30am, chainsaw racing will begin and the traditional Show & Shine will start taking votes.
These will be followed by a Tractor Pull at 11:00am, and then the Show’s luncheon at noon accompanied by a performance from the Wondai Town and District Band.
The 100th show will be officially opened by Queensland Governor His Excellency Paul de Jersey at 1:00pm, and this will be followed by a Vintage Fashion Parade at 1:45pm featuring costumes from the past 106 years.
The Grand Parade will get underway at 2:30pm, after which there’ll be an afternoon tea for invited guests at 3:15pm.
The day will be capped off with a Centenary Country Music Muster, which will start at 5:00pm and run late into the night.
Other entertainment to look out for on Saturday include Australia’s Living History, Norah’s Ark Animal Farmyard, Comedy Pig Races and a giant ferris wheel.
Guests will also have a chance to buy one of the few remaining copies of the Show’s Centenary book, which carries fascinating stories and photos of the past 100 shows.
There’ll also be plenty of food and drink outlets in the grounds, and the Show Society’s dining room, bar and barbecue will all be running, too.
Admission to this year’s Show is $10 for adults, $6 for pensioners and high school students, and $2 for primary school students (preschoolers are free).
