Catherine Nicholls, from Kingaroy, and Sarah Benbow, from Mt Kilcoy, were keeping busy in the cattle sheds
April 14, 2025
Light – and occasionally heavy – April showers couldn’t stop the 116th Nanango Show from going ahead on Saturday.
The show and accompanying bullride were sponsored this year by the Heritage Branch Nanango as part of a three-year deal with the Show Society.
The rain just made the ground softer for the bullriders, but unfortunately was too much for the trotters as racing stewards deemed the ringside track to be too wet for the heats.
But all the rest of the show went ahead as planned, with a good turnout in the stud beef competitions as well as the annual Queensland Dexter Cattle Breed Show.
There was also woodchopping, a large sideshow alley, a dog show, a packed pavilion plus showjumping and other equestrian events in the centre ring.
And the crowd seemed very happy that the fireworks were back this year!
The show was officially opened by Heritage Nanango Community Foundation’s Jane Hodgkinson who explained the history of the establishment of the Heritage Community Branch in town and its distribution of grants, via the Foundation, to local not-for-profit groups and events.
Member for Nanango, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington and South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff also spoke at the official opening.
Local band Mr Q entertained the crowd until late in the night.
Jane Hodgkinson, from Heritage Nanango Community Foundation, with Des McCallum, Nanango … Jane officially opened the showRain couldn’t stop the bull ride which attracted a big crowd as usual on Saturday afternoonNanango Show Society president Les Schloss sponsored the Chris Schloss Memorial Hard Hit woodchopping competition in memory of his late son … the trophy was a splitting wedgeJayden Donovan, from Crows Nest, was presented with the Chris Schloss Memorial trophy by Les SchlossJess Hewitt, 14, from Wamuran, came second in the U18s underhand, leaving some of the young men in her shade2025 Nanango Showgirl Carly Smith with Teen Showgirl Angelina Blanch and Junior Showgirl Indy FoleyGuests at the opening included Cr Deb Dennien, Cr Ros Heit, Cr Linda Little, Mayor Kathy Duff and Deputy Mayor Jane ErkensMember for Nanango Deb Frecklington and husband Jason were guests at the opening ceremonyEmily Benbow and Ben O’Dwyer, from Mt Kilcoy, with the Supreme Champion Bull of the Show, ‘Mervale Dillinger’, 20 monthsHayley Backhouse, from Kanigan, with ‘Grandeur Secret Angel’, who were sashed Supreme Champion Under SaddleGood weather for ducks … the trots had to be cancelled but it didn’t stop the duck races!!Troy Aspden, from Dinky D’s Events in Brisbane, was ferrying people around the showgrounds in his mini-trainKellie Blanch, Hayley McMath, Emmerson Wagner and Polly Brown were part of the Proston P-10 livestock teamBrock Howarth and Stacey Thompson, from Jimbour, came to Nanango for the Dexter Breed ShowRebecca Bailey, from Morayfield, with Narelle Clem, from Gympie, who was promoting “Farmer To Farmer Lifeline”Entrants in the Queensland Dexter Cattle Breed Show parade in the rainVeteran axeman Kerry Hewitt, from Wamuran, easily won the Veterans’ underarm contestMary Calvert and Judith Smith, from Nanango, were looking over all the pavilion entriesNoel Hooper, from Murgon, and Kevin Zischke, Kingaroy, were catching up at the Nanango ShowCr Jane Erkens took time out to catch up with her grandchildren, Ellie, 3, and Stevie, 12 weeks“Ranger Jim” and Ozzie, from Dinkum Dinosaurs, with Henry Leonard, 6, from KingaroyChief Steward (Farm & Garden) Lionel Kerr with Chief Steward (Horticulture) Joy PatchSenior Constable Jamie Leonard and Constable Ryley McKinnon, from Nanango Police, were enjoying showtime dutiesJane Hodgkinson, from Heritage Nanango Community Foundation, shared the history of the local Heritage Community Branch at the show opening (as the rain pounded down outside!)Nanango singer James Webb performed the National Anthem at the show opening ceremonyHeritage Bank and Nanango’s Fitzroy Hotel sponsored this year’s sideshow alley rides and entertainmentPrecision Reptiles, from the Gold Coast, put on shows featuring venomous snakes (like this red-bellied black) and other reptiles
