February 25, 2019
Proston Show Society began their countdown to the 61st annual Proston Show with a special High Tea on Saturday.
The event was held at Proston’s Bowls Club, and a high point was the naming of this year’s Miss Proston Showgirl, Junior Miss Showgirl and Junior Rural Ambassador.
Judges Tracy Reidy (South Burnett Show Society), Kate Roberts (2017 South Burnett Rural Ambassador) and Cr Roz Frohloff put eight entrants through a rigorous judging process before selecting the winners, who were announced by Proston Show Society president Tabitha Bleys.
While guests tucked into a sumptuous High Tea prepared by Show Society members, Tracey introduced the entrants in all three categories, then announced this year’s winners and runners-up.
Haylee Flint was chosen as 2019’s Miss Showgirl, Jessica Jackson as Junior Miss Showgirl and Chloe Scanlan as Junior Rural Ambassador.
Tabitha complimented all eight entrants for competing in the program, and noted the judges had a particularly difficult time selecting among them.
The High Tea was a new initiative for the Show Society which has been running dances at the Proston Community Hall the past few years as a curtain-raiser for the popular annual show.
Former Show Society Secretary Glenda McArdle said the decision to hold a High Tea this year was prompted partly by a shortage of volunteers, but mostly by a desire to try something different.
And it appeared to be a hit – at least with the Proston’s female residents.
The bowls club’s main room was filled close to capacity by elegantly dressed women who enjoyed the tea, coffee and punch and a long table of sweet and savoury treats.
Proston’s menfolk, on the other hand, seemed to prefer standing outside under the bowls club’s awning, catching a few light summer breezes and chatting at the bar.
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This year’s Proston Show promises a full day of family fun, with something to suit all ages and tastes.
It will kick off at 4:00pm on Friday, March 8, with a Prime Young Judges competition, followed by the Young Farmers Challenge at 5:00pm.
On Saturday, March 9 – the Show’s main day – the action will get under way early with horse events at 8:00am, followed by show jumping and a Dog Championship Show at 8:30am while stud cattle judging takes place.
This will be followed by prime cattle and poultry judging at 9:00am, before the woodchops and chainsaw racing begin at 9:30am.
At 1:00pm, competitors will line up for the Proston Stockman’s Classic, before the official opening at 2:00pm by BIEDO CEO Kristy Frahm, and then the Grand Parade at 2:30pm.
In the afternoon, guest artists The CrackUp Sisters will judge a whip-cracking competition at 3:30pm, and the entrants in this year’s Ute Muster will face the judges about 4:00pm.
During the day, children can enjoy Viv’s Farm Animals and Mandy’s face painting from 9:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-6:00pm, along with dodgem cars and other amusement rides.
Adults can laugh along with the CrackUp Sisters, who’ll be performing three 20-minute shows full of laughs and larrikinism at 11:00am, 4:00pm and 6:00pm, browse the pavilion displays or refresh themselves at the Show’s canteen and bar.
And the whole family can enjoy the traditional fireworks display at 7:00pm, which will be followed by music from Sim Richards from 7:30pm until about 11:00pm.
Show admission prices remain at $10 for adults, $5 for high school students and $3 for primary school students (under fives are free).
A family pass for two adults and two or more children is also available for $25.
The complete schedule for 2019’s Proston Show can be downloaded from Proston Online (8.5Mb PDF)
