WELCOME TO YEPPOON AND DISTRICT SHOW SOCIETY INC

From small beginnings in 1955, Yeppoon Show Society has progressed over almost six decades into a thriving annual two day event, which has become one of the most successful country shows in Central Queensland .  Since founding, the show society has claimed the Saturday and Sunday of the Queen’s Birthday, on the second weekend in June each year, for the annual show.

The 58^th Yeppoon Show has welcomed new joint overall naming rights under the title of McDonald’s and Yeppoon Central Shopping Centre, which has given a 29% boost to this major corporate sponsorship agreement.  This significantly contributes to the success of this event, in conjunction with 134 other corporate, company and business sponsors and donors, of whom 95% operate in Yeppoon, and on the Capricorn Coast .

O’Reilly Real Estate Horse Show is a feature of the show ring over the two days.  Some of the finest horses on the show circuit are shown in led-in classes, classes for Galloway hacks, rider classes, and in show jumping.

To meet a growing interest, the Dressage Associate Competition has been organized as an event in its own right, in conjunction with Yeppoon Hack and Pony Club, on its Millroy Drive grounds each year.  New sole naming sponsor of the 2012 event, scheduled for May 7^th, is Central State Fuels – Mobil Yeppoon.

A main ring spectacle on Saturday, June 9^th, from 9am to 3.30pm, is O’Grady’s Bakehouse Queensland State Woodchop Championships, including four handicap events, and a combination woodchop.

Yeppoon Show displays a huge cross section of community interests in many pavilion displays, including pineapples, edible and exotic fruits, horticulture, cooking, needlework and craft, fine arts, pottery, woodwork, shells and photography.  The show also attracts a wide range of ground displays and trade exhibits featuring machinery, irrigation equipment, private and commercial vehicles, marine displays, jewellery, fancy goods and clothing.

Also featured are school and college promotional stands and displays of education, art and craft from local schools.

Popular with families and show goers are the Showmen’s amusements and side show alley.  One of the biggest attractions for children is Anahdale Park Farm Alpacas and Petting Zoo, sponsored by Yeppoon Community Markets.

The Yeppoon Little Theatre is usually packed for eight performances over two days, for Keppel Bay Sailing Club’s Fashion Spectacular, staged by L A Modeling.

The Morning Bulletin’s Greatest Saturday Night Show in the main ring from 5pm to 9pm, will feature an eight piece band performance of Jazz, Rock and Pop, dynamic vocalists and dancers, climaxing with a Grand Finale Fireworks Display.

The main ring on Sunday will feature The Lifestyle Landscaping Stud Beef Cattle Show.  Competing cattle will include large Interbreed entries, Dexter and Miniature breeds, all being judged for grand champions.

Following the Grand Parade at 1pm in the show ring, the afternoon program fills the grandstand for an amazing spectacle over a turf track.  Drivers of the Billy Goat Cart Races hurtle along a 100 meter Derby for $600 in prize money, sponsored by the Professionals Emu Park . 

Next, modified low slung ride-on mowers with wide axles compete at speeds up to 90kph, over six by 300 meter laps of a twisty track, in Yeppoon Ride-on Mower Central Queensland Grand Prix, for $1000 in prize money, sponsored Capricorn Coast Retravision.

Loyal and continuous backing from sponsors and donors has played an enormous role in motivating the efforts of the show committee members, who continually appreciate this support.  Proudly, Yeppoon Show is home made, organised and run by a team of 22 committee members, 38 chief stewards and about 90 community helpers.  All are unpaid volunteers.

The show society has occupied the showground under unbroken leasehold possession since 1955.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding with Rockhampton Regional Council in 2009, the show society gained a long term extension to the lease.  In 1982, the show society decided to embark on a 30 year redevelopment program to replace the bush timber and iron buildings, timber show ring fence, and ageing infrastructure.  Now 28 years later, almost $2 million worth in upgrade of buildings and infrastructure, built with show society funds assisted by State Government subsidies, have not cost ratepayers a cent, and provide excellent facilities for the annual show and community use.

The development provides home in sub leases to Yeppoon Indoor Bowling Club, Yeppoon Little Theatre, Yeppoon Lapidary Association, Capricorn Coast Cricket Club, Keppel Coast Gymnastic Club, Yeppoon Choral Society, Yeppoon Lions Club, Beachpotters, Yeppoon Community Markets, Yeppoon Army Cadets and Capricorn Coast Embroiderer’s Guild.

Much of this massive job was a re-run from the days of the founding members, who felled timber to put up buildings and fences in their spare time.

The remaining surviving founding Life Members still active are Ted Brighton and Bren Canfell.  Bren still organizes the woodchops, which he started in 1952, three years before Yeppoon Show Society was formed.

Members look forward to seeing you at the 58^th Annual Yeppoon Show.

With best wishes from  Show President, Brian Dorey.