Getting ready for the next competition … Bryan Wagner, Proston; Jack Argent, Blackbutt; and Gerald Youles, Kilcoy
March 10, 2025
They’re built tough at Proston … a little thing like a Tropical Cyclone brewing off the coast wasn’t going to stop the 67th annual show from going ahead on Saturday.
As they announced on social media: “We will not cancel under any circumstances. The showgrounds could disappear and we would still push ahead. The show must, and will, go on!”
And it did, however the threat of bad weather did affect the show in a couple of ways.
There was a last-minute plea for more local volunteers, and some entrants in ring and cattle competitions were not able to make it.
Even so, there was still about 90 head of cattle facing the judges.
Cattle steward Michael Duff said that although numbers were down the quality was very high.
Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce, who will be recontesting the seat for the LNP at the upcoming Federal Election, officially opened the show.
Mr Boyce congratulated Show Society president Mortimer Duff and his volunteers for their efforts in putting on the show, as well as the entrants in all the show competitions.
He also acknowledged the support the Show Society had received from Mayor Kathy Duff and the South Burnett Regional Council.
Mr Boyce expressed the hope that Proston and Central Queensland would receive some rain from the cyclone, which he described as “a bit of huff and puff”.
“The whole thing has been exaggerated to the extreme,” he said.
A minute’s silence was held during the opening ceremony for the Proston Show Society’s longest-serving president, Noel Young, who died in January.
Noel’s widow, Show Society secretary Helen Young, was also thanked for her tremendous efforts with the Show Society over the years which had continued this year despite her loss.
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Whipcracking competition winners:
Peewees (Under 8) – Dean Collier
Junior (Age 9-12) – Josh Lamping
Juvenile (Age 12-16) – Amelia Lamping
Open – Jasmine Turner
Stephanie Flint, from Wondai, with five-month-old Cece Urban … Cece came third in the Tiny Tots competitionPam McAllister, from Wondai, with Member for Flynn Colin Boyce … Mr Boyce officially opened the show
Proston Show Society secretary Helen Young was presented with flowers by Mayor Kathy Duff
2025 Proston Junior Showgirl Alivia Wieland, from Hivesville, with 2024 Showgirl Chloe Scanlon
Proston Local Ambulance Committee members are planning to host first aid training in Proston soon … from left, treasurer Margaret Westerman, secretary Laine Robertson and president David HunterProston Show Society president Mortimer Duff with Josh Steinhardt, from Murgon, and Darryl Fitzgerald, from Rainbow Beach
Cattle Steward Michael Duff with his sister, South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff
Proston QCWA member Judith Marek was checking out the entries in the Pavilion
Wondai Town and District Band members Sean and Declan Andersen, from Cushnie, with whipcracking contest entrant Tom English, centre, from KingaroyAfter a solo demonstration with a bullock whip, Josh Lamping, 11, then impressed the judges with his double-handed turn in the 9-12-year-old whipcracking category
Laila Stone, 6, with her proud dad, Adam, from Hivesville … Laila won the Tiny Tots competition
Kaye Eggleton was presented with the trophy for Supreme Exhibit in the Pavilion by steward Brenda Johanson
Jasmine Turner, from Proston, won the Open category in the whipcracking competition with an energetic display … from left, compere Mayor Kathy Duff, judge Cr Heath Sander, Colin Boyce MP, Jasmine and timer Cr Ros HeitProston Fire Brigade members Jason Maneylaws and Nathan Clark with Mondure Rural Fire Brigade 3rd Officer Russell SteerFirst place in the Lightweight Led Steers went to this four-month-old Red Angus x Limousin, “Cuddly” … with Mackenzie Daniels, Kingaroy; and Graeme Wicks, TingooraBub Kennedy, Murgon, and Margery Grimes, Boondooma, were taking a well-earned break on the pavilion verandahJacinta Rockemer, from Booubyjan, and “Destiny’s Sweet As Candy” took out the ribbon for Reserve Champion in the Australian Stock Horse competitionKahlia Paech, from Bundaberg, was presented with a trophy for Supreme Rider Of The Show … the new perpetual trophy is named in memory of the late Dan Retschlag and was presented to Kahlia by Jeff and Lorraine Retschlag, from WondaiMayor Kathy Duff presented the Supreme Miniature Horse of the Show sash to Teagan Wyles, of Taabinga, and “Shangi-La RM Bolero”Mayor Kathy Duff and Member for Flynn Colin Boyce with the Supreme Champion Stud Beef Cattle winner, “Hazelton Exhibit”, a 26-month-old Brahman bull shown by Stuart, Brett and Taylor Kirk from GayndahThe Wondai Town & District Band played the National Anthem at the show opening but also entertained the crowd
Eye roll for the “huff and puff” man.