In this edition: AGM, New Executive Members, 121st Show Theme, Members Meet the Makers Events, Find out what drives our Rural Ambassadors and Showgirls & Cricks Nambour Foton deal.

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Our recent AGM celebrated the horse power behind our 120th Anniversary Show, the launch of our new Strategic Plan 2027-29 and Jasmine Bethell delivered her last financial report as she steps down as Treasurer to a Committee role.  We also welcome Mat Walker as our new Treasurer and Lee Corbett as our new Secretary. I would also like to thank outgoing Committee Member – Eddie Grey for his years of support and leading our marketing and website development over the last 8 years.  

For info on Mat and Lee, see their bio at: https://sunshinecoastshow.com.au/about-us/. We also released the new 2027 Show theme – ‘All roads lead to the Ag Show.’

What does the Rubik’s Cube, a Jigsaw and the SunnyCoast Ag Show have in common?

When it comes to putting on the Annual Show, we have so many volunteers and groups who work tirelessly behind the scenes in various precincts and sections – it’s like a massive jigsaw puzzle or Rubik’s Cube where everyone contributes to the ultimate outcome – we merely provide the outline.

THANK YOU to all those people who add colour and flair to the Show – we see you, we appreciate you, we value you!!   Thanks also to Chloe, Maya, Alex, Miley, Zane, Sam, Ellie, Liam and other patrons who left positive messages on the 2026 Community Message Board.

Key dates for your diary:

• New Member Day Out – Nutworks Yandina & Ginger Factory, Saturday 3rd October, 2026
• SCASS Trivia Night at the Montville Bowls Club Saturday 14th November, 2026
• Pre-Show Arts Event in the Main Pavilion: Wednesday evening, 9th June, 2027
• Date Claimer – the next SunnyCoast Ag Show is 11 -13th June, 2027 (our 121st Show)

Our Rural Ambassadors Liam and Kody accompanied GM, Mark Paddenburg as they headed to Sunshine & Sons (our major show sponsor) for their guided distillery tour with the crew from FAN. 

From the exceptional spirits and quality local ingredients to the massive metal holding tanks, the experience was both fascinating and informative. If you are looking for something to do on a weekend, we highly recommend taking a drive to check them out!  Open daily from 10 to 5pm, the Woombye venue is kid-friendly, dog-friendly, offers scenic hinterland views and great deals.

Business Awards – Food & Agribusiness sector shines

Congratulations to the 133 Sunshine Coast Business Awards finalists, especially those in the Food & Agribusiness sector listed below (and goodluck Andy Coates, Amrita Park – our Show Mead Steward):  

Winners will be announced at the Gala Celebration Saturday 28 November.

Members day out (1) – Nutworks and Ginger Factory Meet the Makers Invite: 3/10/26 

Join the GM and 2026 Rural Ambassadors and Showgirls from 2:00-3:30 pm on Saturday 3rd October at Nutworks Yandina (mini factory tour starts at 2:30pm with Tracey Mills followed by Q&A, premium macadamia product sampling, musician as part of the open day). Members are welcome

 to bring friends and family. We will also take a quick look at the Ginger Factory (across the road) at about 3:00 pm.

Members day out (2) – Maleny Farmfest

Join the GM and our 2026 Rural Ambassadors and Showgirls at MalenyFarm Fest 2026 on Saturday, 21 November.  SCASS Meeting spot is the main front gate at 12noon or the show office at 12:30pm.  

Members and guests day out (3) – SCASS Trivia Night

This will be a great event run by our Rural Ambassadors and Showgirls

will be held on Saturday 14th November at the Montville Bowls Club – more details to follow.

What drives and motivates our 2026 Rural Ambassadors and Showgirls (and we would like to thank our sponsor for safely chaperoning the crew around the show – Cricks Nambour Foton).

Senior Showgirl Spotlight: Kayleigh McNeill Meet Kayleigh McNeill, our 2026 Senior Showgirl! A student Occupational Therapist working at The Compass Institute, Kayleigh brings both heart and dedication to our agricultural community. From showing her beloved miniature horses to volunteering at local events, her agricultural roots run deep—grounded in her extended family’s lucerne and seasonal produce farm in the Lockyer Valley. Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone “When I entered the Showgirl awards—honestly, on a whim—I had one goal: to prove to myself that anxiety doesn’t need to dictate my life,” Kayleigh shares. “I thought this would be a personal victory I’d quietly achieve over the show weekend. I was so wrong—it turned into something far bigger.”  Instead of a solitary challenge, Kayleigh found an overwhelming wave of connection and support from the show community. Where Health and Community Intersect Kayleigh’s journey with the show seamlessly connects with her future career. As an Occupational Therapy student, her studies center around how deeply community impacts a person’s social and emotional wellbeing. “Occupational therapy theory has shaped how I view the world—it’s all about reconnecting people to their community and meaningful occupations  after illness or injury,” Kayleigh explains. “During my time as Senior Showgirl, I’ve experienced that principle firsthand. Feeling part of something bigger than yourself and actively contributing locally is a powerful force on your mental health.” Reigniting the Agricultural Spark Like many young people balancing study and work, life had become hectic for Kayleigh in recent years. She was getting out to local shows with her miniature horses less often and felt her tie to agriculture fading. “I didn’t realise how much missing that connection was quietly impacting me,” she admits. “Through the SCASS community and this incredible role, my spark for agriculture has been completely reignited. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who share my passion and inspire me to advocate for this industry.” Now, Kayleigh wants to use her platform to encourage others across the region to step up, get involved, give back and experience the rewards of local volunteering.

Rural Ambassador in the spotlight Liam Kment:  Meet Liam Kment. He is a TAFE student completing his Certificate III in Education, a Community Stage Show Announcer, an active member of several local groups, and a driving force behind the Nambour Markets every Thursday. As a Rural Ambassador, Liam embodies a spirit that is becoming increasingly rare—and increasingly vital.Lately, I’ve found myself deeply appreciating the quiet kindness woven into our local community and the growing groundswell of support for regional agriculture and our local producers. Whether at country shows, weekend markets, or community working bees, there is an entire ecosystem of passionate people at work: growing produce, raising livestock, setting up displays, cooking food, moving heavy tables, and answering questions—all to help someone else have a good day. Most of this work isn’t flashy. Nobody is filming the person who arrives at dawn to unlock the shed, or the volunteer who stays late to sweep up and pack away tables. It happens quietly, simply and with purpose because somebody cares enough to do it. From the city to the hinterland Having grown up in the city it was refreshing moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2021 and experiencing life in the hinterland and enjoying the agricultural show which has given me a totally new perspective. There is something authentically grounding about being around people who make things, grow things, and keep traditions alive. It is a powerful reminder that community foundations run deep—and they are still built in the physical world by people showing up for each other and making a difference.  The internet can make everything feel loud, angry, and disconnected. But then you walk into a local show or market, and someone hands you a cup of tea, remembers your name, and asks if you need a hand. That culture still thrives because of people like Liam and the crew behind our local community events.  We probably just don’t talk about it.

Junior Showgirl Spotlight: Catherine McGovern Meet Catherine McGovern, our 2026 Junior Showgirl! Catherine is no stranger to hard work—she has worked as a dairy farmhand, where she helped milk 250 cows a day and she is an active show volunteer. A former Girl Guide who loves hands-on challenges, operating machinery, and helping her parents with home renovations, Catherine brings incredible energy and grit to our local show community. Open to Everyone: No Farm Background Required “I would honestly recommend the Showgirl program to anyone eligible,” says Catherine. “It doesn’t matter if you come from a multi-generational farming family or are completely new to agriculture. You learn so much just by being there, talking to judges, and experiencing different sections—from livestock showing to fruit and vegetable judging.”For Catherine, the beauty of the program is that it provides an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at how the whole show comes together. From official duties to front-row entertainment, Catherine’s weekend was packed with memorable moments: – Generational Traditions: Handing out ribbons at the woodchopping and watching three generations of the same family compete together. – Youth in Ag: Seeing local schools present their dairy and beef cattle, showcasing months of hard work and animal prep. – Action & Entertainment: Catching the K9 High Jump, horse demonstrations, and the high-octane night show featuring dirt bikes, monster trucks, Hot Wheels, and fireworks. Connections That Last Beyond Show Weekend One of the biggest takeaways for Catherine was the instant bond formed with her fellow entrants. “You spend the whole weekend together, so you get to know everyone really quickly,” Catherine shares. “You can walk in on Friday not knowing a single person and leave with genuine friendships that continue long after the show lights turn off.” Catherine’s Message: “Just Give It a Go!” Whether you’re considering entering next year or looking to get involved in the show movement, Catherine’s advice is simple: “You don’t need to have grown up on a farm or know everything about agriculture. As long as you are willing to get involved, have a go, and learn along the way, you will get so much out of it. It opens doors to amazing memories, new skills, and opportunities right across Queensland.”

Junior Rural Ambassador Spotlight: Kody Coceancic Meet Kody Coceancic—a dedicated Burnside State High School student, active show volunteer, and passionate champion for locally grown produce. Whether he is working part-time in retail, performing in local musicals, or representing his school at the annual ANZAC Dawn Service, Kody is a familiar, energetic force in our community. As our Junior Rural Ambassador, he is on a mission to bridge the gap between farm and plate. Why Agricultural Literacy Matters: “Every year, I notice a growing lack of basic agricultural literacy right here on the Sunshine Coast,” says Kody. “I’m not talking about advanced science—just fundamental knowledge: how milk is pasteurised, how honey is harvested, and what local butchers and bakers do every day to keep food on our tables.” A recent conversation with a former Brisbane resident who relocated to the Coast highlighted the scale of the issue. “They were impressed by our local ag presence because, in major cities, the gap is even wider—some children don’t even realise milk comes from a cow or that meat doesn’t originate in a plastic-wrapped tray. It was a real eye-opener.” Rooted in Sunshine Coast History Long before the region became known for tourism and bustling urban centers, the Sunshine Coast was built on the back of agriculture. Our region’s foundation was a thriving patchwork of fields, orchards, and greenhouses producing sugarcane, beef, citrus, bananas, vegetables, and medicinal crops.”While our region continues to grow and change, one fact remains: real food will always come from the earth,” Kody says. “As a Rural Ambassador, I want to make sure we honor that heritage by keeping our local show interactive, educational, and inspiring for young people.”

The winners certainly impressed the judges and Liam and Kayleigh will now represent the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show at the Near North Coast Subchamber Finals on 7 November 2026. 

The 2026 Rural Ambassadors and Showgirls will also be assisting the Show Society Management Committee by  running local initiatives like Trivia Night (with ag ed and fundraising focus), Youth Trailblazer Program (to help us deepen engagement with schools and youth) improving our 2027 Show Young Farmers Trail brochure (kids educational challenge and prizes).

Following the Subchamber Finals, winners progress to the Queensland Country Life Awards in Brisbane (at the Ekka) in 2027.  Supported by our partners, Queensland Ag Shows and a range of industry sponsors, these Awards allow young people to actively promote Queensland, agriculture, rural communities and show societies as they develop their leadership skills. Sponsorship at a State Final level is worth over $50,000.  

Volunteers – We Need You!  Extra Muscle needed in 2027

To fill some gaps, we are looking for extra volunteers to assist with the show set up and pack down phase – if that’s of interest, please email our GM, Mark Paddenburg or call him on 0455 551 014.

Comlink & Spiral Partnership to continue in 2027

Great news – Comlink and Spiral have agreed to continue the show partnership in 2027, ensuring plenty of capacity for the free show shuttle buses connecting the show to the park and ride options.

MixFM live broadcast & WishList Fundraiser to return in 2027 

The Show will again be home to MixFM WishList – Give Me 5 Sky High Cash Fundraiser and live broadcast on Friday 11/6/2027 – taking fundraising to new heights from Chant’s Ferris Wheel.

A BIG thanks to our key sponsors: 

Sunshine & Sons, Butler McDermott Lawyers, ME Excavations, Seen Agency, TISCA, Comlink, Spiral, Cordwell’s Concrete, Energex, Ringers Western, AI Compass, BSA Live, Greg Grant Saddlery, Mitre 10, 24/7 Access, Spotlight, Whites IGA, Sunshine Coast Arts and Framing, Langs Building Supplies, Stihl, Nutworks, Nambour RSL, Bailey & Dalton Electrical, McLoughlin Media and Communication Solutions, Ginger Factory, Showmens Guild of Australia and Cricks Nambour – Foton (special deal):

The SCASS Strategic Direction 2026 – 2030 

Our Vision: a thriving, inclusive and future-ready Show Society that brings people together through agriculture, innovation, learning and community connection, enriching the region for generations to come.  Our Strategic Pillars include:

I’ll have more to say about The Strategic Plan in the next newsletter and the document will be loaded on our website in the next few days. Thank you for your continued support,

Rowan O’Hara

President, Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show Society Inc.