Clermont Show cancelled for 2022 as showies grapple with insurance hikes

It’s one of Queensland’s oldest agricultural shows but this year won’t go ahead in a decision organisers say is devastating for the town.

One of the oldest agricultural shows in Queensland has been forced to cancel this year’s annual event despite a desperate fight for its survival.

The Clermont Show Committee has made the tough call to cancel what is billed as the Isaac region’s biggest community event of the year.

The show has a reputation for drawing the community together for traditions, celebrations and entertainment.

Harry, Pippa and Hugo Hewitt with Will Kenny enjoying the rides and sweet treats of the Clermont Show

Vice president Kate Flohr said the committee was unable to fill key positions in time for preparation of the show.

“We spent a good two years trying to get people recruited and fill the key roles,” Ms Flohr said.

“This show requires a lot of extra work and requirements and we haven’t got the people-power to run such a big event.

“We have been trying to fill the secretary, treasurer and sponsorship positions.”

Ms Flohr said the Isaac community was devastated about the cancellation news.

“People were surprised, disappointed and some were even frustrated,” she said.

“It is one time of the year when everyone has a day off together, everyone comes to the show and everyone catches up.

“It has such a rich history.”

Clermont Show president Scott Moller with his wife Alana at the 151st Clermont Show.

The Clermont Show is the only agriculture show in Isaac and holds a rich history of traditions and competitions for the community.

“And I guess for some people it is dabbling in outside interests that only come around for show, whether that be having a dagwood dog or woodchop,” she said.

“We have the most amazing firework display that gets better every year.”

Ms Flohr said she was confident the show would go ahead in future years as long as the committee roles were filled.

“It is such a special and loved event in our community,” she said.

“Once we get those people in we will be fine and there will be a 2023 show.”

Woodchop at the 151st Clermont Show.

She encouraged Isaac community members to join the committee in any way they could.

“If you have spare time, don’t wait for someone to ask you to join a committee,” she said.

“If you have spare time and passion for your community, get out there and approach the committee.”

Fireworks at the 151st Clermont Show.

The Clermont Show Committee’s difficult decision comes after a troubled year for the show industry struggling to find public liability insurance.

The Gladstone Show in 2021 was forced to postpone its annual event with the committee citing amusement ride operators were unable to operate as the insurance companies were not renewing policies.

Showmen’s Guild of Australia vice president and professional travelling showman Glen McGregor said some operators were hit with 800 per cent increases in their insurance premiums, while others were unable to find coverage, in 2021.

“There was quite a lot of stress before we got insurance as for quite some time people were not insured because there were no insurers in the market,” he said.

“All the Australian insurers had bailed out of the market and there were only a few, making the market very competitive.

“Anybody who ran out of insurance between June and January of this year really, really struggled to get their insurance again.”

Cattle dogs help round up cattle at the 151st Clermont Show.

He said operators were eventually able to find coverage, and therefore shows being cancelled because of insurance were able to be avoided.

“Fortunately most of the showmen in Queensland last year still had their insurance from their recent policy but pretty soon after that a lot of showmen were running out,” he said.

“So it didn’t impact shows in Queensland.”

Mr McGregor said he was confident regional shows would have a future.

“I am a fifth generation travelling showman and we are one of the oldest industries going around in Australia,” he said.

“My great, great grandparents had a merry-go-round with a pony which would tow the wooden ponies around.

“I am more than confident the industry will survive.”