Having fun at the Proston Show were, from left, Darcy Williamson, 10; Hugh, 7, and Cam Seiler, 4; Heath Williamson, 5; and Jack Maudsley, all from Kingaroy
March 11, 2019
The 61st annual Proston Show was another celebration of everything that’s good about life in a country town … a community pulling together to make things happen.
Recently elected Show Society president Tabitha Bleys said cattle numbers were down, as expected, due to the drought, but to make up for it entries were up in the wood-chopping, dog show and Stockman’s Challenge.
“This 61st show is a really good one even in this dry time,” Tabitha said.
Fourth generation Proston resident Kristy Frahm, the CEO of the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO), officially opened the show.
She recalled that her grandfather, the late Gordon Buchanan, had been called on to do the same task back in 2004 and she was honoured to be asked.
Kirsty said Proston excels at special events.
“As long as I can remember, come what may, Proston community has always held special events for us all to be part of,” she said.
“The show, the campdraft, spring fairs, Christmas carnivals, fundraisers … they bring us together and give us a reason to celebrate.
“No one does events quite like this community.
“Proston has given me the spirit of community and I can’t tell you how much I draw on that.”
Proston Show Society stalwarts Les and Dell Blanch were presented with Life Membership during the official opening ceremony.
There was also sadness, with acknowledgement of the recent deaths of two local residents who had been heavily involved in the Proston Show over the years: Sue Heit and Mick Duff.
Hannah Needer, Rhianon Braithwaite and Jamie-Lee Webb, all members of the Kingaroy State High School cattle team, take a break in the yardsSenior Champion Tropical Cow, HH Park Miss Charlotte, 40 months, from HH Park Brahmans at Gympie, was sashed Supreme Exhibit of the Show … Les Lee, from Leegra Fitting Service at Silverleaf, was presented with the trophy by Deputy Mayor Kathy DuffBIEDO CEO Kristy Frahm officially opened the show and South Burnett mayor Keith Campbell was also invited to speak at the official ceremonyProston Show Society president Tabitha Bleys with Les and Dell Blanch who were made Life Members of the Proston Show Society … Mayor Keith Campbell presented them with their pinsCattle steward Michael Nott, from Proston, with 2018 Queensland Rural Ambassador runner-up Nathan Trace, 2018 South Burnett Miss Showgirl Stacey Sanders and South Burnett Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff2019 Proston Miss Showgirl Hayley Flint with Kate Roberts, Proston; and chief Pavilion steward Brenda Johanson2019 Proston Junior Rural Ambassador Chloe Scanlan and Junior Miss Showgirl Jessica Jackson at the official lunchThe Pavilion theme this year was dragons, and there were lots of them in paintings and craftwork … Maureen Bowden won first prize for fretwork with this Dragon clockAmanda Weber, from Leegra Fitting Service, with Battalion Speckle Park Stockade … Stockade was named Grand Champion British and Supreme Bull of the Show and is now on his way to the Easter Show in Sydney
Lorraine Taylor, from Murgon, with “Aussie”, a limousin x charbray in the Led Steer competition
Brent Evans, from Kingaroy’s Jen-Daview Limousins, was preparing Jen-Daview Wayno for the Led Steer competition
Stacy and Lucy Needer, 10, from Kingaroy, with Tamika Schultz, Kingaroy, getting ready for the Led SteersProston QCWA had a guessing competition and were also handing out healthy eating recipes at their Country Kitchens stand … from left, Marion Izatt, Wilma Papworth, Judith Marek and Eileen VosProston Local Ambulance Committee had a stand and were also doing CPR demonstrations … from left, Pat Henry, president Dave Hunter, Kim Urquhart (Proston QAS) and Margaret Westerman
Gloria Fleming, from Nanango Show Society, and Queensland Agricultural Shows delegate Richard O’Neill
Nanango’s Vanessa Kissick had a winning day on Janevelyn Madrid … she was named Champion Senior Child Rider
The Wondai branch of the ALP also had a stand … Hec Dionysius, Proston; Jeff Carpenter, Tansey; Sam Bradford, Murgon; branch president Barry West, Wondai; and Don Barnes, ProstonLNP Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd was watching the action in the cattle ring with Barbara Hockey, from HivesvilleMurgon Men’s Shed had the task of cutting out dozens and dozens of wooden roosters which were decorated by Proston schoolchildren
