Thank you Chair.
I rise to speak about the 114th annual Brookfield Show which was held in my Ward over the weekend.
Chair, I’ve spoken a number of times in this Chamber about the Brookfield Show, most recently when it was named the 2024 Brisbane Event of the Year at the Lord Mayor’s Australia Day awards in January.
Having reached this pinnacle, it would be easy to assume there’s only one way for it to go, but no, this community event each year goes to another level.
Unlike previous years, the 2025 Show was blessed with perfect weather and the local community responded accordingly.
I know Chair, because as a Member of the Kenmore Rotary Club which manned the entry gates over the three-day event, I saw firsthand how busy it was and the length of the queue each morning, and in particular, the many children waiting with excitement to enter.
The show officially commenced last Thursday night with the Art Show awards and again, the quality of our local artists was on display through the record number of entries received this year.
Since becoming Councillor, I have sponsored the Best Portrait Prize and this year’s winning entry “A Silent Narrative” by Peta Harvey, was a stunning work or art.
Another highlight was the awarding of the community shield to longtime equestrian steward, Julie Jelly.
Although the horse events were cancelled this year because of the soggy conditions of the showgrounds surface, Julie was still there helping out where she could over the three days.
And the winner of the State Member for Moggill Community Award was the Kenmore Moggill RSL which stages the highly successful Shell Green cricket game at the Showgrounds on ANZAC Day.
Congratulations to Show Society President, James Booth for overseeing another highly successful show and the many stewards and volunteers who contributed in various ways across all three days.
These volunteers come from all walks of life and business within our local community – we even have a former Federal Court Judge working one of the categories.
Chair, when you start naming individuals, you run the risk of missing out others who make significant contributions to the success of the show.
But two locals who deserve a special shout-out are former Show Society Presidents, Dan Petrie and Cath Fullerton.
Dan oversaw last year’s award-winning show and even with his busy professional career, was there every minute of every day overseeing operations on the ground.
As for Cath, I’ve never seen a harder working, more dedicated person committed to the success of the show. And it was there for all to see again over the weekend.
Chair, in summary, the Brookfield Show is one of the highlight events each year in the Pullenvale Ward and is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a community works together with a common goal.
Thank you.