General News
6 February, 2026
Return of the Showgirls for Clifton
The ability of Clifton Show Society to attract Showgirl entrants after a hiatus of eight years has proved to be a popular move with a full house at Sunday’s Showgirl Judging Afternoon Tea.
There were no spare seats at the Senior Citizens’ Centre with the attendance much better than organisers expected.
At the event the Show Society introduced four Showgirl entrants - Shelby Turl, Lilly Phyland, Tasia Thomas and Sarah Johnston; three Teen Showgirl entrants - Isabella Hetherington, Mackenzie Lyons and Gabriella Newman; three Junior Showgirl entrants - Isabelle Gilmore, Dimity Telford and Paton Hetherington; and 2026 Rural Ambassador Ellie Stenzel.
The five-member judging panel found great difficulty in identifying winners after every entrant presented very capably in closed judging and before the public.
After much deliberation by the judges Sarah Johnston was named 2026 Clifton Showgirl, Mackenzie Lyons Teen Showgirl and Isabella Gilmore Junior Showgirl.
The gathering was welcomed by Show Society President Haydn O’Leary who congratulated each of the entrants and extended appreciation to the team of volunteers who had made arrangements and put together the afternoon tea.
Show Secretary Adele Saville said the last time Showgirls had been part of the annual event was in 2017.
“Thank you to all that attended our Afternoon Tea for the presentation of our showgirl entrants and Rural Ambassador,” Mrs Saville said on Monday.
Meanwhile, planning for this year’s Clifton Show is well in hand.
Photography entries close this Friday 6th February.
Entries can be left at Clifton Courier Office at 77 King Street, or ring the show secretary to make arrangements.
The first action associated with this year’s Show happens over the coming weekend with the Whip Cracking event on this Sunday, 8th February, in the main pavilion.
There is no admission charge and the Show Society will have the canteen open.
Pavilion entries need to be in by noon on Friday week, 13th February.
Contact the Show Secretary if this won’t work for you.
There is no gate charge for those attending the Show on the Friday.
Admission charges for Saturday 14th February are: Adults S15, Pensioners and High School Students S10.
Membership ticket prices are: Family (2 Adults, High School Students under 16) $25; Single Tickets (1 Adult, High School Students under 16) $15.
Tickets will be available from the Clifton Courier office as well as at the Show Office at the Showgrounds during Show Week.
The Show runs across three days from Friday 13th February.
The first event will be Sheep Dog Trials which start at 7am on the Friday and run across all three days.
The Prime Cattle Sale will be conducted by George & Fuhrmann at the Warwick Saleyards next Tuesday, 10th February, with judging taking place that day.
On day one of the show, Friday 13th February, the Prime Lamb judging and sale will take place from 3pm.
That evening, from
6 o’clock, the All Breeds
Stud Cattle Heifer show will be staged under lights.
Of course Saturday is the big day.
The pavilion will be open from 9am.
The packed program will include Gymkhana, Showjumping, Harness events, Stud Sheep, Angoras, Stud cattle, Led Steers, the presentation of awards for the Prime Cattle, the popular Stockman’s Challenge, the Championship Dog Show and an Animal Nursery.
For the kids, the Box Car/Ute competition will be fun - just paint up a box and make it into your car or ute
There will be prizes for best painted, art work and viewers’ choice.
The Ute Competition features 12 classes with judging starting at midday.
Later in the afternoon and into the night the program will take in Dog High jumping, the attention-getting Dachshund Dash, Sheaf Pitching, the Out Back Road show, games for the little people (such as hobby horse races), and keep an eye out for the Gowrie Gals and the energetic Hula Hoop Lady who’ll be roving the grounds to keep patrons entertained.
As always, Saturday night’s Fireworks will be spectacular, starting from around 8.15.
Teams of local school students will be able to test their general knowledge in the annual Battle of the Brains.
Teams can be nominated by sending an email to cliftonshowsociety4361@outlook.com
As always, throughout the day and night Sideshow Alley is operating and there’ll be lots of food and trade stalls.
Sunday will see the All Breeds horse judging across six rings.
Also on Sunday, the pavilion will be open from 9am.
Be sure to get a copy of next week’s Clifton Courier which will include a comprehensive guide to the 2026 Clifton Show.
