May 4, 2021
Overall numbers at this year’s Kingaroy Show were up on 2019, which has Show Society president Craig Lucas feeling pleased.
But Craig told southburnett.com.au the rain squalls which swept across the showground on Saturday afternoon did cause a few problems and may have deterred some patrons.
“We were unable to have the harness racing finals because the track was too slippery and dangerous for the horses,” he said.
However, the ride-on mower racing went ahead (with Miss Showgirl Kyla Milne stealing the show) and the rain couldn’t stop the 15-minute fireworks display.
Craig admitted Sunday’s attendance wasn’t as strong as Saturday, although the speedway in the evening went well.
The 2021 Kingaroy Show was officially opened on Saturday afternoon by Queensland Ag Shows general manager Trevor Beckingham OAM who emphasised how successful most shows had been this year after last year’s enforced lay-off due to the pandemic.
Mr Beckingham said people had possibly been taking their shows for granted until last year, but the COVID-19 cancellations had made them suddenly recognise their shows were important and an integral part of their communities.
He attended his first Kingaroy Show 40 years ago, so he felt he had come “full circle” by being invited back to open the event.
South Burnett mayor Brett Otto also spoke at the official opening, thanking Craig Lucas and his committee for their hard work in organising the show.
Mayor Otto said he believed agriculture would underpin the growth and prosperity of the South Burnett community in the future.
He said farmers were the “heart and soul” of the country, “always have been, always will be”.
“I know that with the demand for food and fibre across the region, there are good days ahead for the farming community throughout the South Burnett,” Mayor Otto said.
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Show Society president Craig Lucas revealed there will be some changes in store for the 2022 Kingaroy Show.
He said planning had already started for the event.
“We’re bringing back the old country show,” he said.
“There will be sections that we have not had for many, many years.”
The biggest change – which has been confirmed – is that there will be no speedway on the second night.
This decision has created some chatter on social media, but Craig is not fazed.
“The Kingaroy Show only happens on one weekend a year; there are 51 other weekends that the speedway can run,” he said.
“We will have a bullride in the place of the speedway.”
Craig invited anyone who would like to help in the planning and organisation of next year’s show to get in contact with him at Kingaroy Showgrounds.
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Sub-Chamber Ute Muster Competition
The winners of the South Burnett Sub-Chamber Ute Muster final were announced at the Kingaroy Show:
- Street – Matthew Thomas, FG Falcon
- B & S – Anthony Dudley, Falcon XR8
- Chicks – Hayley Wilson, VY Commodore
- 4 x 4 – Sean Radcliffe, Toyota Hilux
- Work – Asher Zabel, Nissan Patrol
- Feral – Anthony Bye, XF Falcon
- Classic – Sonny Crumpton, WB Commodore
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