Community & Business
22 February, 2023
Show makes a welcome return
Members of the community turned out in large numbers at the weekend for the 111th Clifton Show, indicating there’s still a healthy taste for the annual local event.
There was no Show at Clifton last year, thanks to the Covid pandemic, so patrons were happy to see the event make a welcome return.
Friday is generally the quieter day of the three-day Show and that was again the case for 2023.
However on Saturday, people started turning up earlier than usual, despite the very hot, dry weather.
As conditions started to cool off in the evening, the crowd began to swell.
“We had massive numbers through the gate on Saturday night,” Show Society President Haydn O’Leary said.
He said it appeared that people were pleased to be able to go to a show again following last year’s forced cancellation of the event due to Covid.
Mr O’Leary said on Saturday night everyone was well behaved while the bar was operating, and while there was a bit of trouble after the bar closed, local police were on hand to pull the offenders into line.
Show officials were pleased with the general level of support for this year’s event.
Mr O’Leary said entries in most sections this year were about average, probably due to the recent weather conditions, although there were more than 300 entries in the sheepdog trials.
“Big thanks to the volunteers,” he said.
“It takes a big team effort to put it on.”
Mr O’Leary also expressed the appreciation of the Show Society for the support of the many sponsors who contribute to make things possible.
“We also want to thank the competitors and patrons.
“If we don’t have them, we don’t have a show,” Mr O’Leary said.
One highlight of this year’s Show occurred at the official luncheon on Saturday when Junior Vice President and Chief Steward in the pavilion, Ashley Gillam, was made a Life Member of the Show Society.
Police generally pleased with behaviour
Clifton Police found show goers generally well behaved during the weekend, particularly on Saturday evening, which Officer-in-Charge Sergeant Bruce Willett described as “a good family night”.
Sergeant Willett said there was a minor assault late in the evening involving a 15-years-old male, along with some under age drinking and a bit of vandalism.
He said the offenders were juveniles from out of town and were dealt with by police.
“We were generally happy with the behaviour of the crowd - it was a good family night.”
Sergeant Willett said one drink driver was identified after the rodeo on Saturday night.
At about 10pm a 42-years-old Gatton man returned a reading of 0.07.
He will appear in Warwick Magistrates Court.
Police also identified a drink driver on Friday night.
A 47-years-old man from Brookstead was stopped by police on Meara Place and returned a reading of 0.098.
He too will appear in the Warwick Magistrates Court.
Sergeant Willett aid during the last two weeks, five drink drivers and
five drug affected drivers have been located in the Clifton Police Division.
“It’s a bit concerning,” he said.
He warned motorists that police are taking action to arrest the trend.
Warwick and Toowoomba traffic branch will be supporting Clifton police during coming weeks, targetting the Fatal Five, including drink and drug driving.
“We are warning people to do the right thing,” Sergeant Willett said.
