Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to congratulate the organisers of the Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show, includ­ing the president, Helen Rippa, and show secretary, Kylie Holzinger, along with the committee and all the volunteers, for the work that they have done to make the 83rd Annual Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show such a great success.

Mudgeeraba is a beautiful part of the Gold Coast within my electorate of McPherson. The Mudgeeraba Show started as a small fete and flower show, and it was first run 79 years ago to raise money for improvements to the Memorial Hall. In 1973 there was a need to form a show society and register the event as an agricultural show. More than 10 years later, in 1985, a permanent pavilion at the showgrounds was provided by the Albert Shire Council and leased to the show society.

From its humble beginnings, the Mudgeeraba Show has now grown into a two-day weekend event, labelled as the 'little Ekka' with more than 15,000 Gold Coasters turning up on the first day this year, giving a welcome boost the local economy. The event hosts horse events, handicrafts, horticultural exhibits, cooking and preserves, a pet parade, wood chopping, ring events and a showgirl pageant, to name but a few. The show would not be a success without the force of the community supporting it. The volunteers and the public ensure the event continues. I look forward to attending it next year and I encourage everyone to join me.