2017 AGM a success

Mayor Mark Honey, Kiama Show Society President Michael Brennan, Member for Kiama Gareth Ward

Kiama show Society held our 2017 AGM on 12 May and we're proud to welcomes back Michael Brennan as our President for a 3rd year. This will see him preside over our 170th Kiama Show in January 2018.

The fourth generation farmer, who has been involved with the Society for more than 40 years, said he was honoured to be president during such an historic year.

“We are the third oldest show in the state, Mr Brennan said. “That is a wonderful achievement and we couldn’t do it without the hard work of the committee and volunteers.’’

Mr Brennan said that staging modern agricultural shows was increasingly financially challenging. He said the Society was always looking for new sponsors. He also encouraged the community to support fundraisers throughout the year including the popular Trivia Night on August 9 and the Show Ball on November 18.

“We had a record Friday gate (attendance) at last year’s Show and we are hoping to achieve that again and add a record Saturday gate as well, especially for the 170th Show,’’ Mr Brennan said.

With the AGM being held at the end of Volunteer Week, Kiama Mayor Mark Honey, a former Show Society committee member, praised the work of the volunteers who kept the event going.

“Without the volunteers, Kiama Show just wouldn’t be a show,’’ Cr Honey said. “And it’s not just the committee, it’s those other people who just turn up and say ‘I’ll give you a hand’.’’

Cr Honey, a fifth generation dairy farmer, encouraged the Show Society to keep trying to bring modern agricultural practices into the Show movement.

“There are still a lot of challenges for Kiama Show…We have gone from 100 dairy farms in 1950 in the Jamberoo valley to 12, that gives you an idea of how the agricultural pursuits in the area have changed. We have to look at promoting the niche agricultural industries and encourage them to get them more involved.’’

Kiama MP Gareth Ward said Kiama Showground was the most scenic ground in NSW and congratulated Kiama staff for its maintenance.

“The Show movement is so important to us because it is a part of everything that our region was and still is,’’ Mr Ward said. “Certainly farming has changed but it’s still so important from a historic point of view and where are we still going today.

“Thank you to all the volunteers who put in such a great effort – be it organising the pavilion, the enormous amount of work the committee does, people who work on the gate or just being there to lend a hand - thank you.’’

The 2017 Kiama Show will be held on Australia Day, Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27.

For more information on Society events throughout the year like our Facebook page.

For more information on how to Sponsor or Volunteer please contact secretary@kiamashow.com.au.