Graham and Melanie Brown, from Windera, with the Supreme Bull of the Show, “Sylvan Springs Underbelly”, a 24-month-old Droughtmaster
March 17, 2025
The 101st Murgon Show at the weekend was “beyond expectations”, a delighted Show Society president Josh Steinhardt said on Monday.
“It was a great success in terms of the crowd, especially for the rodeo,” Josh said.
The rodeo, fireworks and auction on Saturday night capped off a big day at the showgrounds, which included a well-contested cattle ring, poultry and a dog show.
This is Josh’s first year as Show Society president but he reckons he’ll be around for more.
“I don’t think they want to get rid of me!” he joked.
Josh said the highlight of the show for him had been the volunteers.
“It just blew me away the amount of people that we got to help,” he said.
Attorney-General and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington congratulated Josh on his efforts at the official opening of the Show on Saturday afternoon.
“Josh is 19 years old, the youngest ever president of the Murgon Show Society,” Mrs Frecklington said. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
“It’s really good to see young people getting behind the Show movement.”
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff also congratulated Josh and his committee.
Life Member Joan Crawford, who has been involved with the equestrian events at the Murgon Show for decades, officially opened the show.
Joan, who has been a member of the Show Society for 47 years, said she had been coming the Murgon Show since she was a baby.
Her family had been involved in one way or another from her grandparents through to her grandchildren.
She recalled, in particular, the horse events, from the draught horses and “best school pony and rider” classes of the old days through to “the hunts” which evolved into Olympic-style showjumping.
Joan also recalled years of rodeos at Murgon, which were always a very popular part of the show.
Gladys Birch (who turned 101 earlier this year – the same age as the show!) and Life Member Gladys Sippel joined with Joan Crawford (not pictured) to cut the cake at the openingDell Beer, from Murgon, spotted her father-in-law’s former vehicle, a 1953 Ford Prefect, in the Grand Parade and couldn’t resist hitching a ride!Helene Wessling, centre, was presented with Life Membership of the Murgon Show Society by president Josh Steinhardt and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington … Helene has been a volunteer for many years at the Murgon Show, working hard behind the scenesJosh Steinhardt speaking at the opening … at just age 19, Josh is the youngest person to take the reins of the Murgon Show Society but he has been a volunteer at the event for yearsBlessing the Plough is a long-time tradition at the opening of the Murgon Show … INSET: Murgon Baptist Pastor Chris Downes, chair of the Barambah Ministers Association, performed this year’s blessingMurgon Show Society Life Members Edna and Richie O’Neill OAM were guests at the official openingAttorney-General Deb Frecklington, Cr Deb Dennien and South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff at the official opening … Mrs Frecklington and Mayor Duff both spoke at the openingMurgon Show Society Life Member Joan Crawford shared a string of anecdotes about the old days at the show as she officially opened the 101st event2025 Junior Showgirl Addi Smith and Showgirl Gypsy Skilton were kept busy doing official duties on show dayCr Heath Sander with Jason and Deb Frecklington after the official openingMegan Livingstone, from Maidenwell, with the Grand Champion Led Steer / Heifer Over 450kg, a 14-month-old Limousin x Speckle ParkAllie Rogers was serving up hot food from The Phat Wag’s mobile food vanThe Booie Spinners were demonstrating their craft in the Pavilion … from left, Judy N Gray, Tablelands; Maureen Colman, Nanango; and Natalie English, from BooieTeena Reeve, from Murgon, and Craft Steward Ann Rehbein in the PavilionThe volunteers from the Murgon Local Ambulance Committee had a display of CPR equipment … from left, Kerry and Bob Baldwin and Phenella HironCarissa Beddows and Rachel Cooper, both from Windera, were checking out the Pavilion displays
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Grand Parade
The Grand Parade, led off by the Murgon Fire Brigade, circled the arena immediately after the official opening:
Lovely to see some photos of the Parade!