Mount Perry Show finalises preparations for 77th annual event

The team behind the 77th annual Mount Perry Show are gearing up for a day of rural entertainment, with a range of new displays and events ready for the crowds.

Mount Perry Show President Peter Dingle said he hopes a range of new youth classes with encourage a younger audience to connect with the local show.

The team behind the 2024 Mt Perry Show have said preparations for the annual event have gone “quite well” with nominations already rolling in.

The 77th annual show will take place at the Mt Perry Showgrounds this Saturday, April 20.

President of the show society Peter Dingle said while the event will have to compete with local race days, rodeos and shows also running this weekend the support and sponsorship from the Burnett community has been outstanding.

“Early on the sponsorship was a little steady, but we’ve since had a real lot of support from Mount Perry, Bundaberg and local areas so that has made it a very good year for sponsorship,” he said.

“It’s a good feeling, talking to local businesses they understand the significance of having rural shows and being able to educate younger people coming through and have an understanding of what rural shows are all about.”

A long time Mount Perry local himself, Mr Dingle said rural shows give local businesses the chance to celebrate their stock and trade, not only through exhibitions but also through competitions and sponsorship.

Mount Perry Show is on Saturday, April 20.

“It’s a matter of the local people being able to showcase their stock,” he said.

He hopes, through the support of local businesses and events such as the annual Show Girl competition, younger audiences will have a new chance to connect to their region.

In 2023, Mount Perry Show Girl Casey Clearly made the region proud by winning Burnett Subchamber Showgirl and at last year’s Ekka was named 2023 Showgirl’s Choice winner.

“We’re very proud to have Monique Dingle as the Show Girl this year, and we have done very well with the state Show Girl competition in recent years,” he said.

“Casey got so much experience out of it, and she’s doing a lot of rural shows herself now because she understands what the program can do for young people.”

Mr Dingle said several new displays will offer new experiences for locals and visitors, including dog training exhibitions from the local police.

There is also hope that much like the team at the Gayndah Show Society, the Mount Perry Show will be able to take advantage of stud cattle owners who are in the final stages of preparation for the 2024 Rockhampton Beef Week event.