Community & Business
19 March, 2026
Best Show in years
Favourable weather and more afternoon activities resulted in the best turnout for an Oakey Show since COVID.
The Oakey Showgrounds were looking their best in years thanks to the hard work of volunteers and some good rain the previous week.
Increased local engagement with the Show was reflected in record entries across many sections.
Submissions in Fine Arts, Home Cookery, Handcraft and Needlework were exceptionally high.
Thankfully, a violent storm over Silverleigh the night before had avoided the Showgrounds by a mere handful of kilometres, saving country boots and cars from having to squelch through mud in the car park.
More young families attended than in previous years and they thoroughly enjoyed attractions such as Melville’s Duck Races, and the Outback Riders.
Several Toowoomba Region Councillors also visited, eager to connect with rural communities still sceptical about the benefits of a Regional Council, 18 years after amalgamation.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton was there too along with State Member for Condamine, Pat Weir.
Oakey Agricultural Pastoral and Rodeo Society President Judy Byers thanked the local community for supporting the 2026 Oakey Show in bigger numbers.
“Rural shows only happen with the support of generous sponsors, passionate exhibitors and competitors showcasing what they grow or make, and the hundreds of hours by our most valued asset - our volunteers,” she said.
“I hope everyone enjoyed the 2026 Oakey Show.”
Crowd numbers at the Show are still down on the historic peaks of decades past.
The only way to improve attendance further would be through increased financial support from local businesses to fund more novel attractions and increased numbers of volunteers.
Opening the Show with her parents Alma and Bernie Haaijer, Debbie Goudie hinted at the dynamic which keeps shows going.
In 1980, Alma had asked then Oakey Show President Viv Kuhl if the Show could start up an Angora Goat Section.
“Yes, if you join the Show Committee and steward the section yourself!” came the response, and the rest is history.
It’s thanks to dedicated volunteers like Alma, still section steward 46 years on and husband Bernie, who helped shift the Greenwood Hall to the Showgrounds in 2008, who keep rural shows surviving and flourishing.
Fellow volunteer, Leanne Schilf was presented with Life Membership of the Show Society she had served for many years as Secretary.
