About the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show Society

105 YEARS AND GOING STRONG

“SUNSHINE COAST AGRICULTURAL SHOW”

The first of our 105 shows was held in Woombye just 5 km’s south of the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show’s home in Nambour today.

The first show in Nambour was held in 1909.  A report headed “Maroochy Show – A Great Success” appeared in the Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser.  The report, which was five columns long, outlined the official luncheon and the show in great detail.

We could only hope that we could have that sort of media focus today.

The gate money on the first was 23-19-0 pounds. and would have been much greater but for three matters. The first being that there was still a feeling that, as had happened at Woombye, the first day was no-show day. The second was a rumour that got around that 2/6 admission would be charged that day, and thirdly that the weather made many postpone, on account of their fears that the roads and grounds would be too wet.” 

“The second day’s gate money came to 65-0-6 pounds, or a total for the two days of 88-19-6 pounds which beats that next best year, 1907, by 29-19-6 pounds; really it was a splendid result considering the obstacles in the way of the show that year, on account of the weather and on account of the change to the new grounds,” the report concluded.

Today, The Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show enjoys strong volunteerism that has enabled the Show to prosper and our volunteers work in all areas through the traditional sections of cake making to arts and craft. 

The ring still remains a focus point as it did and 104 years ago, with the number of horse entries remaining strong.  

The Show remains strong to its traditional theme and events with strong community support, school participation, and a growing attendance each year.

Whilst we focus on our agricultural heritage, the committee recognises the need to continually ensure that the event is relevant for today’s show goers and has successfully made the transformation to a modern three day show full of agricultural, community and entertainment features.

The Current Committee Members are: