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Gympie Show’s “back by popular demand” rides will host ride stop protests

The wildest thrill rides for this week’s Gympie show have been revealed but the fun is also set to be put on pause in protest of massive insurance hikes.

VIDEO 2: Bird's eye view of Gympie Show

Rides will reach exhilarating speeds and heights at Gympie this week but they’ll also stop for a time in protest of massive insurance hikes.

The Showmen’s Guild of Australia will stop the most popular rides for 15 minutes at midday, Saturday to draw attention to what they say is a lack of support from the Federal Government despite their annual contribution of $1.84 billion to the national economy.

It comes after Sydney’s Hawkesbury Show hosted a protest of 150 show industry workers last week.

In a statement, the SGA said travelling show operators around Australia were continuing to hold ‘ride stops’ to protest against insurance costs which had risen by 300% in the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, Gympie’s most anticipated thrillers have been announced.

This year’s tallest ride is the Sky Flyer.

Stretching to the sky at 30m above the ground, this ride is “back by popular demand.”

Deemed as the scariest returning ride this year, Gympie guests get ready for spinning, high altitude action.

The highly anticipated ride, the Sky Flyer is returning to Gympie.
The highly anticipated ride, the Sky Flyer is returning to Gympie.

Making another appearance by demand is Australia’s fastest ride, the Extreme.

This ride is a must for guests who seek the speed. Get ready for a thrilling spin to the beat of the Big Bass Sound System.

Thrilling ride, the Extreme is back on this year.
Thrilling ride, the Extreme is back on this year.

Newest from last year is the Soundwave, set to give riders another exhilarating spin.

The British nightclub themed thrill ride is here with lighting and sound effects for a “supreme ride.”

Returning this year from the Northern Hemisphere: the Soundwave
Returning this year from the Northern Hemisphere: the Soundwave

The Gympie show will also receive a visit from two Dodgem-Cars tracks, featuring the largest travelling dodgem car ride, ‘Luke’s Electric Speedway’.

For our younger thrillseekers, there’s also Kiddie’s Corner and Kids’ Motorbikes.

Due to recent wet weather, rodeo, team penning and all other horse class events have been cancelled. Other demonstrations have been moved to the main arena.

Originally published as Gympie Show’s “back by popular demand” rides will host ride stop protests

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/gympie/gympie-shows-back-by-popular-demand-rides-will-host-ride-stop-protests/news-story/a4ab23cc5aa753c5d929fd1f8d6ac2e8