Show societies across the Western Downs are seeking young volunteers to keep their traditions alive

For generations agricultural shows have been the lifeblood of rural communities across western Queensland, but without new young volunteers the rich traditions of these events run the risk of extinction. Here’s how you can help.

Jandowae Timber Town Crew. The event is

Show societies across the Western Downs say they are facing an uncertain future with ageing committees and a lack of young volunteers.

Last month the Dalby Show Society took to social media to appeal for more hands-on volunteers as their older team was struggling with the physical labour of setting the show up and packing down, as well as running various events.

Show society president Darryl Byrne said without volunteers they may be forced to delete several events from the shows’ calendar.

“Many hands make light work, (but) one of the problems we have is the majority of the committee is getting on in years and a lot of the cleaning gets left up to three or four of the elderly ones that don't work anymore,” he said.

“They are 85, 75, 73 and 71 so we need some young muscle.

“With these events you need someone to take ownership and organise it and because of our limited number of people we won’t be able to have those events.”

Darryl Byrne, President Frank Chiverton, Cheryl Parsons, Rob Parsons and MP Ann Leahy opening the new Parsons Pavilion at the Dalby Show

Bell Show Society president Chris Edwards said while they had decent volunteer numbers they lacked young workers.

“We are struggling to get young volunteers on board, we have volunteers around the 65, 70 year old mark down to the 30 year olds, but majority are 50 years and above,” he said.

“All of the older people have been there for forever and a day so if there's younger people they can take a load off. Younger people typically do the heavier side of things and allow the older people to poke around and do the smaller tasks.

“We manage, but it would be good to have some more young people coming through.”

Mr Edwards said he believed the business of life was making it difficult for young people to get involved.

“Just in conversation with a couple of people in the last year or so we are hearing life in general is just too busy, I know myself I am a contractor and have my own business so just to get this done I run myself into the ground,” he said.

“Majority of work coming into show season is done during the week and most people have a five or six day a week job and can't take days off to help.

“I think everyone, it doesn't matter who you talk to, says life is just busy in general.”

Lisa Walsh and Greg Olm at the Chinchilla Cancer Council Pink and Purple fundraiser at Chinchilla Bowls Club on Sunday, November 18, 2018.

Chinchilla Show Society treasurer Lisa Walsh said a lack of flexibility and new ideas in committees was also deterring young volunteers.

“I think a lot of young people are turned away because of stick in the mud ideas like ‘we’ve been doing that for 50 years why should we change’ but it’s different in every situation,” she said.

“Margaret Bell ran the showgrounds for 20 years and did a marvellous job, but once she stepped back there was a lot of younger ones who came in, contributed, helped and expanded the place.”

Ms Walsh said it was important to get volunteers involved in the show from a young age so they would continue through as adults.

“A lot of our young volunteers are children of volunteers, we just seem to attract the younger ones around the 20-35 age group,” she said.

“A lot of our showgirls stay on, I think we have three showgirls who have taken on a section in the pavilion.

“It’s only really showtime where they all turn up, but that’s fine because everyone is busy and it’s pretty quiet during the year.”

Jandowae Timbertown president Danny Wassell

Meanwhile president of Jandowae Timbertown Danny Wassell said they had both a young committee and young volunteers at last year’s event.

“We had a good age group on our committee from elderly people back to 17-year-olds, our committee was a young committee and the volunteers were mostly young as well,” he said.

“The bar co-ordinators were all 20 year-olds and the offsiders were 17-18 year-olds.

“We are hoping they stick around and keep that history alive.”

Mr Wassell said committees couldn't afford to rest on their laurels and needed to be proactive when seeking young helpers.

“It’s all about getting out there and asking the young ones, Jandowae is a small community which helps, but you’ve got to ask them, they won't just turn up,” he said.

“A lot of people get in there heads that people should just show up, but you actually have to ask them to help and once you ask majority of them are willing to.

“We go down to the local shops or while they’re at the pub having a beer or a meal and just ask them if they’d be keen to join, I think there was only one out of the ten people I asked who said no.”

Originally published as Show societies across the Western Downs are seeking young volunteers to keep their traditions alive