June 19, 2023
It was Murgon Show Society’s turn to host the annual South Burnett Sub-Chamber finals on Saturday … and the big day didn’t disappoint!
The finalists in various Ekka competitions – under the watchful eyes of three judges – began the day with a coach tour around the Murgon region.
The group enjoyed morning tea at Windera State School, lunch at the Phat Wag in Murgon, afternoon tea at Boonara Homestead and also found time to visit the Hamilton Park Wagyu feedlot.
They then gathered at The Australian Hotel in Murgon for their final test, a question and answer session in front of the 100 or so diners who had booked in to watch them be put through their paces.
There were entrants from the Goomeri, Murgon, Proston, Wondai, Kingaroy, Nanango and Blackbutt show societies.
The evening was compered by 2021 South Burnett Showgirl Jacinta Rockemer and 2022 South Burnett Rural Ambassador Dan Trace. and was also livestreamed on social media.
Former South Burnett councillor Damien Tessmann joined Yvonne Hudson and May Gossow, from Crows Nest, at the judges’ table.
The trio had the very difficult task of selecting the winners in the Rural Ambassador, Junior Rural Ambassador, Showgirl and Junior Showgirl categories.
In the major categories, it ended up being a clean sweep for Nanango Show Society.
The South Burnett Rural Ambassador, Carly Smith (Nanango), and South Burnett Showgirl Emma Franz (Nanango), will represent the region in August at the 2023 Brisbane Exhibition.
Emma said she was “over the moon” with her success, thanking Nanango Show Society showgirl co-ordinator Gloria Fleming for all her help.
“I wouldn’t be here without her,” Emma said.
Ironically, Gloria just missed out on competing at the Ekka herself.
The entries in the Dark Rich Fruit Cake competition were also cut and tasted, with the successful baker, Del Blanch, heading off to the Ekka. Gloria was runner-up.
Also announced were the winners of the junior judging and parading competitions who will also be competing in Brisbane: Shay Barron, Kingaroy (Stud Beef Young Paraders), Rhianon Braithwaite, Wondai (Stud Beef Young Judges) and Indy Eriksen, Kingaroy (Prime Beef Young Judges).
South Burnett Sub-Chamber president Viv White said it was the biggest Sub-Chamber dinner to have been held in the South Burnett for years.
