About Us:
The Sarina Show Society was established on the 25th August 1964 to provide the local community with an annual community event being the Agricultural Show. Mr W A Hoey (known in the community as Bill) was elected President and continued to be the President for the next 20 years with Mr RT Shailer as Secretary and Mr EA Rich as Treasurer.
The Sarina Show Society now has 3rd generation family members involved in the committee and the running of the show. The first Annual Show was held on Saturday 31st July 1965 at the original showgrounds on Biltoft Street which is now the Football & Athletics grounds. It started as a one day show with admission fees being 6 shillings for Adults and 3 shillings for Children. Pensioner's admission was free but could be called on to assist if required.
In 1969 it was decided to start the show on the Friday night as well as the usual Saturday Agricultural Show continuing throughout the day. The first Rodeo was held in 1997 and was organised by local man, Mr John Smith. In August 1965 the Secretary wrote to the Trustees of the old Sarina Racecourse to negotiate the transfer of Trusteeship of the Racecourse to the Show Society which was successful and in April 1968 the three trustees appointed for the Show Society were Mr Hoey, Mr M Ivory and Mr H Perry. In 1981 the first ever two day show was held in the new grounds on the Bruce Highway. The first "Showgirl" competition was held before1989 with girls being sponsored with the aim to find a young woman to act as an Ambassador for our Region with her role involving many official and informal duties at other shows in our region. 1981 the Show Society received $1000 for the wooden horse stalls, which were upgraded in 2001.
Since then the Show Society has been very lucky to receive other grants from the Qld Government Community Gambling fund, the Mackay Regional Council and the Qld Government Agricultural Societies Inc which has allowed us to purchase items such as Aluminium Seating, Cold Rooms, Lawn Mower etc. Over the years the Show Society has continued to improve the grounds with a new bar area being built, new toilet blocks installed, an undercover area for market stalls, new meeting rooms and renovations to older areas.
The showgrounds are constantly used by other local community groups such as Sarina Pony Club, Sarina Kennel Club, Queensland Mud Trails and Sarina Netball Association to mention a few. Over the years it has grown from hosting one Annual Show to now having our extremely popular monthly markets, fortnightly Cattle Sales, Poultry Club events, Lions Club events, Queensland Cancer Council Relay for Life, Coal to Coast Festival annual event as well as the occasional booking from "grey nomads" caravanning clubs, army training camps and private function events. Currently we have a membership of 275 which includes ordinary and life members. If you would like to become a member just go to the Forms Section for a Membership Form.