Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show cancelled in 2022 due to soggy grounds

A popular Gold Coast staple has been cancelled this year, it can be revealed.

One of the oldest agricultural shows on the Gold Coast has become a casualty of the unrelenting rain that has lashed the city so far this year.

Organisers of the Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show said there were tears on Tuesday as members of the society were informed the event, scheduled for later this month, had been cancelled due to the showgrounds still being too waterlogged.

Asten Sacre, 8, Ayden Sacre, 4, Cooper Francey, 3, and Abbie Sacre, 5, at the 2018 Mudgeeraba Show. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Since the start of the year the Gold Coast has had more than 1.5 metres of rainfall, and 19 out of the first 20 weeks of the year were wet.

Mudgeeraba Show committee president Ella Parsons said it was in the best interest of everybody involved that the event – now in its 93rd year – was cancelled.

Mudgeeraba Showgrounds in February. Picture: Mike Batterham

“It is highly disappointing, there were tears in the office as you can imagine,” Ms Parsons’s said.

“The show weekend is in such high demand on these grounds, with the rides, machinery, hiring equipment, and the grounds still waterlogged even after having days of sunshine, there’s still standing water.

The show's blacksmith display on a previous year. Picture: Mike Batterham

“We are on flood plains so that’s a big factor in it all and the prediction of more rain to come makes it very risky to try and put on a show.”

Ms Parsons said the committee considered rescheduling the show, but with the predicted rainfall in coming months, and the chance of it clashing with other major events, they decided it was “too risky” to go ahead.

She said the event had been cancelled no more than three times in its history, with the previous cancellation in 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jamie Ford with his daughter Olivia at a previous show. Picture: Mike Batterham

“To have to cancel twice in the matter of three years and to put one on under such tight restrictions in 2021, it’s just unprecedented,” she said.

“This has been very hard on the people involved in the show as it’s their livelihood but they do understand, we don’t do this lightly.”

She said the show committee was hopeful the show wou

ld return in 2023.

“We are a very enthusiastic group and even though this is highly disappointing for us we look forward to 2023,” she said.

An image from the 2018 Mudgeeraba Show. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We will just keep rock and rolling and preparing for next year’s show.”

Mudgeeraba Councillor Glenn Tozer said the Mudgeeraba Show committee was considering an option of a smaller series of agricultural events, but discussions with insurance companies and key stakeholders was still needed.

He said the Gold Coast City Council recently resolved its financial support for the Mudgeeraba Show, and would adhere to alternative arrangements or the next steps for the show.

Jaydn Treay and Amelia Tither atop a camel at a previous show. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The show is run by a group of experienced and professional volunteers who are excellent stewards of the fields and facilities at the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds,” he said.

“I understand the committee are still discussing options for a smaller series of agricultural events but the seasonal nature of agriculture might impact that.

“For example, when the chickens start moulting, it’s hard to have a chicken competition.”