Goombungee-Haden all-round success for 109th show
LIFE MEMBERSHIP PRESENTED TO LORETTA VOLL
The Goombungee-Haden Showgrounds were a picture for the 109th annual show day on Saturday. Stewards in all sections reported excellent entries and there was a good attendance of patrons. Speaking at the official opening, society president Errol Luck said he was proud to be the president of such a happy hard-working organisation and thanked those who had contributed to the day’s suc- cess including judges and sponsors, Toowoomba Regional Council, members and life members, Showgirls and volunteers.
The show was officially opened by former Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio who said whenever he visited the town, he al- ways felt there was something special about Goombungee.
He congratulated show president Errol Luck on the success of the event and said it was a tribute to those who had gone before that the show has continued to thrive for so many years. Having moved back to the Millmerran area following his retire- ment, Mr Antonio said, after having the privilege of travelling to many overseas countries during his time as Mayor, he is enjoying being back home on the family farm and appreciates how fortunate we are to live in Australia and especially this beautiful part of Queensland.
Guest speakers included the Mayor Geoff McDonald, Member for Condamine Pat Weir, Member for Groom Garth Hamilton and president of the Darling Downs Sub-chamber Lyndal Neale, who all congratulated the society on the success. Mayor Councillor Geoff McDonald spoke highly of the entrants in the Showgirl competition for which he and his wife Lisa were on the judging panel.
Guest speakers included the Mayor Geoff McDonald, Member for Condamine Pat Weir, Member for Groom Garth Hamilton and president of the Darling Downs Sub-chamber Lyndal Neale, who all congratulated the society on the success. Mayor Councillor Geoff McDonald spoke highly of the entrants in the Showgirl competition for which he and his wife Lisa were on the judging panel. The Member for Condamine said he appreciated all the work that goes into organising and running a show event acknowledging that it is an all-year commitment rather than just on the one day. The Member for Groom Garth Hamilton thanked the parents who had brought their children along to the show as he said it is these little ones that are the future of shows and Mums and Dads who expose their families to the show movement now are laying the groundwork for shows in years to come. The 2024 Goombungee-Haden Showgirl Amoria Vanmeulen moved a vote of thanks to the speakers and other invited guests.
During the official ceremony, life membership was bestowed on management committee member Loretta Voll. The badge was presented to Loretta by the show treasurer Wendy Motley, herself a life member since 2007. Loretta, who has paid membership since 1985, was appointed cookery steward in 1996 moving on to chief cookery steward in 2002. She has also been invited to judge at shows in small country towns on many occasions. She has always been an active exhibitor in the home cookery and needlework sections and has been the winner of numerous prizes over the years, especially in the dark rich fruit cake class. Loretta’s dark rich fruit cake wins have taken her on to represent the Darling Downs Sub-Chamber at the Queensland judging at the Brisbane Exhibition where she has placed first twice and third once. A recent initiative has been to introduce a fun cooking afternoon a couple of days before show day to encourage children to create and enter exhibits.
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