New volunteers join Roma Show Society, save historic event for another year

The Roma Show Society is beginning preparations for its 141st year after a new cohort of volunteers put up their hands to help save the day.

Roma Show Society president, Alanah Ladbrook, and Aleacea Nixon. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

The annual Roma Show is set to go ahead for its 141st year in 2025, but at the show society’s annual general meeting in September, it became apparent that legacy and tradition wouldn’t be enough to keep the tradition alive without new volunteers putting their hands up.

At the AGM on September 3, meeting chair Joe Regan, lobbed a question to the room: who was under the age of 35?

A quick glance showed that of the crowd of 20, three people raised their hands.

Aleacea Nixon, 23, attended her first Roma Show Society meeting on September 3, 2024. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

One of those to tentatively lift their hand was 23-year-old Aleacea Nixon, who said the meeting was her first with the Roma Show Society.

She said she went along to the meeting because she grew up showing cattle, and knows that shows don’t just happen.

“I’m new to town,” she said.

“I’m trying to find like-minded people.”

She said she knew it was hard to get young people involved in committees, but said it can be a really great experience.

During the meeting, there were slim pickings for stewards to take on different roles as part of the show society, and some veterans were reluctantly reinstated into positions.

Show society president, Alanah Ladbrook, said in the days after the meeting more positions were filled.

“I was so pleased and excited to see new and younger faces attending,” Mrs Ladbrook said.

“I feel that it is important to have gradual change.

“We will have a great balance of older, experienced members and younger enthusiastic members this term.

“It is great to provide prior knowledge and at the same time accept new ideas.

“Putting on a show is teamwork and it is vital that no volunteer is overwhelmed with the task ahead.”

Roma Show Society president, Aleacea Nixon, and Roma Show Society secretary, Stephanie Sando. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

She said she hoped that some prospective volunteers took on various roles in teams, so as to ease the workload.

Mrs Ladbrook said the show was an important part of the “fabric” of the town.

Queensland Ag Shows general manager, Trever Beckingham, said this was why it was so important to ensure shows were able to keep running year after year.

He said that across Queensland, there were 129 shows, which all depended on volunteers.

“Without volunteers, shows won’t happen,” Mr Beckingham said.

Jess Neville and Annette Huntley at the Roma Show Society AGM, 2024. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

He said shows were “by the community, for the community, and of the community” but relying so heavily on volunteers comes with a slew of problems.

“In the smaller communities there’s the issue of members staying on too long,” he said.

While it’s great that those members are so committed to the show, it can also mean that newer members feel intimidated, or that there is no room for them to join the committee.

However, he said it’s not all bad news.

“There’s a lot more young people in communities than before Covid,” he said.

During the pandemic, there was an uptick in young families moving to the regions, ready to get involved with community events like the show.

He said in places like Dirranbandi, St George, Taroom, Charleville, and Cunnamulla, their show societies have “regenerated and reinvigorated”.

However, he said its important to maintain a balance between experience and youth on the committees to have the best of both worlds.