Country music star Adam Brand makes special surprise visit to thank Warwick volunteers

The country icon made a surprise visit to the Warwick Rodeo and Show Society, giving back to some of the people who give selflessly to their community.

Adam Brand stopped by to thank the hard-working voulenteers.

Country music icon Adam Brand made a surprise visit to the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society on Thursday, enjoying a cuppa with some of the Rose City’s incredible volunteers.

Some of the 400 volunteers attended a morning tea and were formally thanked for their hard work within one of the community’s most pivotal organisations.

Brand, who is touring the region, said volunteers were a vital part of every community.

“Volunteers are people who are passionate about something and they give their time to for free,” he said.

“Country music is so dependent on volunteers, because the radio stations that plays our music are run by volunteers.”

Show and Rodeo president Gerard O’Leary also offered his appreciation, saying there wouldn’t be a rodeo for Warwick without the tireless work and dedication of volunteers.

“Every event we hold on these ground relies on volunteers,” he said.

“It’s a credit to them, to turn up and help us and to show an interest in our society.”

Councillor Marco Gliori thanked volunteers with a poem

The cancellation of both the show and the rodeo due to COVID last year hit the society hard, but Mr O’Leary said the work of volunteers kept them afloat.

Longtime volunteers Sue Keong, Gale Ward and Janet Platz all said they believed their time was rewarded by the opportunity to meet people.

Gale Ward, Janet Platz and Sue Keong

Ms Keong, who helps out at Rose City FM, said she believed volunteering was a natural progression.

“(It’s) working, then keeping-on-working, but in a different way,” she said.

“If you volunteer, you’re relied on to be there, but you also have that freedom to pick and choose where you want to go.”

Mrs Platz had been offering her help at the information centre for more than 10 years.

“We don’t want to be stuck at home on our own,” Mrs Platz said.

“No way – we want to get out and mingle.”

Rotary president Doug Bryce with Show and Rodeo president Gerard O’Leary.

Mr O’Leary also acknowledged the Rotary Club of Warwick Sunrise, which assisted in the installation of water tanks.

The tanks were purchased with a $20000 grant from the Southern Downs Regional Council, giving the showgrounds access to more than 11 megalitres of water.