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Queensland Ag Shows Awards

About The Queensland Ag Shows Awards

          Established in 2016, as an initiative of the Queensland Ag Shows Next Generation Committee, the Queensland Ag Shows Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the Agricultural Show movement. The QSAs serve to acknowledge the contributions of the grassroots volunteers that bring together Shows within QLD and aim to celebrate the tireless efforts that embody the values of the Agricultural Show movement.  They encourage teams and individuals to innovate and maintain their commitment to achieving excellence.  The awards are a superb opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate with our peers.

          2024 Winners were announced at the Queensland Shows Awards Dinner on Saturday, 16th March 2024 in Brisbane, held in conjunction with the 2024 QLD Ag Shows Annual General Meeting.

Category Overviews

Meritorious Award

          This award aims to honour a financial or honorary member of a Show Society, meeting at least one of three requirements to be nominated for their merit:

  • Nominee to be currently actively involved or recently secluded from participating in actvities organised by a Show Society
  • Nominee holds or has held an Executive position, a responsible Sectional position, or assisted in any capacity
  • Nominee has made a significant voluntary contribution to benefit an affiliated Show Society

          A Director from the Sub-Chamber, of which the Show Society is a member, is to confirm the nomination of the proposed nominee. The names and addresses of two referees, along with two letters of reference, are to be provided with the nomination.

          The Meritorious Award is open for nomination year-round.

Friendship & Fellowship Award

        The concept of a Friendship and Fellowship Award was first raised at a QCAS Board Meeting in August 2010 and was endorsed by the QCAS Board at a Board meeting in November 2010.

        The Friendship & Fellowship Award is available to the QCAS Board for award to individuals or organisations not directly connected to the Queensland Show Movement who have contributed to the long-term success of Queensland Shows. Nominees for this award are approved by the QCAS Board on an adhoc basis whenever a nomination is received from a member of the board.

          The Friendship & Fellowship Award is open for nomination year-round.

Outstanding Individual Contribution

          This award aims to acknowledge individuals who have made a significant outstanding contribution or achievement within one of Queensland’s 129 Agricultural Show Societies.  They may have made a significant contribution during a 2022 Show or over a number of years in the capacity of a Chief Steward/Steward, exhibitor, organising volunteer or committee member etc, or to have assisted in an outstanding way through the development or organisation/running of a new or existing competition, secured considerable sponsorship or grant opportunities, or acted in a major role within the Show society that deserves recognition.

2024 Winner: Melanie Bryson - Mudgeeraba Show Society
Runner Up: Kerri Denning - Pittsworth Show Society

          Melanie Bryson, President of Mudgeeraba Show Society, passionately led the organisation to success, attracting over 22,000 visitors at the 2023 Show. Her exceptional contributions revitalised the society, emphasising community engagement and governance. Melanie’s initiatives include volunteer recognition, with the introduction of annual awards and the co-founding of the ‘Division 9 Community Hero Awards’. She actively engages with the community, attending various events and supporting local businesses. Melanie’s visionary ‘Farmers Feast’ event showcased local produce, garnering significant social media attention. She also manages the society’s online presence and dedicates over 40 volunteer hours weekly, balancing her role as an active Wildcare carer.

Emerging Leader

          This award acknowledges an individual aged between 18 and 35 who has, through their attitude and efforts within at least one of Queensland’s 129 Agricultural Show societies, demonstrated they are an emerging leader in the movement. Their work may have been to assist individuals or groups, or to develop competitions or programs to help the society and/or their community. For example, they might be a Steward, livestock donor, an organising volunteer, event marketer or executive member.

          The nominee should have made a significant voluntary contribution to the benefit of the affiliated Show society.

          The nominee must be between the ages of 18 and 35 inclusive as at date of nomination and have been a member of a Qld Ag Shows affiliated Show for at least 12 months. 

2024 Winner: Adam Tokely - Dayboro Show Society
Runner Up: Matthew Hillier - Fraser Coast Show Society

          Adam Tokely has been actively involved with the Dayboro Show for over 20 years, starting as a volunteer in his early teens. Initially helping in the canteen and office, he progressed to become a ground announcer, and later an Ag Show Announcer across Queensland. He revitalised the ‘Kids Passport’ activity, and introduced the Agri Education Pavilion, winning awards for innovation. Adam has served in various roles, including Vice-President, Next Gen coordinator, and Next Gen representative for the Near North Coast Sub-Chamber, showcasing his commitment to the Show community. He initiated new incentives like the ‘Show Shirt’ for volunteers, and the ‘Dayboro Pineapple Toss’ for evening entertainment, demonstrating his dedication to enhancing the Show experience.

Best Innovation in A Local Event

          This award is for innovation in a local event hosted by a Queensland Ag Shows affiliated show society. The award aims to not only celebrate the innovation, but those that helped to spearhead its organisation and development. The ‘innovation’ could include anything from a new entertainment item to innovative social media campaigns, data gathering and registration services, adaptations or any other innovation that has taken a local event experience to the next level.

          The innovation must have occurred during the previous 12 months.

2024 Winner: The Haystack - Gympie Show Society
Runner Up: Fashions on the Paddock - Tully & District Show Society

          In October 2023, Mikaela Sima and Hannah Johnston launched ‘The Haystack’, an innovative event within the Gympie District Show framework, featuring fine dining, auction, and live entertainment. The even showcased local manufacturing and produce, emphasising mental health and wellbeing while raising funds for the GDS. With 150 attendees, the even at Chatsworth Hall featured local cuisine and presentations on agriculutral engineering, equine therapy, an psychological well-being initiatives. The event’s media campaign, sponsorships, and auctions raised over $30,000 for the GDS, earning acclaim as a standout success in the region’s agricultural calendar.

How To Enter?

Easy as 1..2..3..

1. Complete the details in the appropriate nomination form within the Nomination Pack document in full.

          Click here for Nomination form (Print & Scan or complete electronically within PDF and return)

2. Attach a maximum 1000-word submission outlining an overview of the nominee and addressing specific selection criteria as set out in the nomination form.

3. Include a high-resolution photograph of the Nominee (at least 1MB) in the submission email for use in marketing/media.

 

NOTE: Nominations for 2025 Awards submissions will open soon, look out for any notifications on our social media channels. Nominations for the Meritorious Award or Friendship & Fellowship Award are open year-round

Questions?  Queries?  Please contact us at admin@qldaghows.com.au

Thank you to our long-time supporter Sandstream Toowoomba for donating the beautiful
etched glass trophies each year

Past Winners

For the 2024 Queensland Ag Shows Awards program, click here.

Meritiorious Award Winners

YEARNAME
2021Keryn Staib
2020Charles Campbell
2019Ross Barton
2019Roslyn Smith
2019Peter Curtis
2019Julie Walz
2018Patti Jaenke
2018Lorraine Crothers
2017Val Rayner
2017Lillian Krog
2016Damon Phillips
 Denis Janetzki
 John Koehler
2014Daryl Waugh
2014David Lemberg
2013Estelle Drynan
2013Carolyn Omand
2013Walter Kowaltzke
2012Patti Jaenke
2012Bob Ingram
2012Guy Watts
2011Errol Ellen
 Ken Pascoe
2010Dorothy (Dot) Hamilton
2010Graham Edwards
2010Robert Bishop
 Rodney Manteufel
2009Valmae Chadwick
2009Robert Smith
2009Walter Pierce
2009John Drynan
2009Keith Hinchliffe
2009Les Andreassen
2009Arthur Bright
 Jack Murphy
 Shirley Elsden
 Ivan Hankinson
2008Richard O’Neill OAM
2008Alan Steinhardt
2008Hazel Maltby
2008Patricia Tracey
2008Beverly Kerr
2008Gladys Kretschman
2007Kathie Lange
2006Ken Stewart
2006Sidney Hoare
2005John Roberts
2005Tania Belousoff
2004Graham Rayner
 Kevin McKee
2004Daniel Hutchinson
2004Maxwell Kuhl
2004Barry Hinze
2003Clive Gordon
2002Milford Finlay
2002Doris Plath
2002Alex L0gan
2001Ruth Thompson
2001Douglas Edgerton
2001Alexander Evans
2001Alleyn Watt
2001Ailsa Evans
2001Eugene Eisenmerger
2001Dudley Taylor
 Gilbert Lange
2000Kevin Emery
2000Gordon Rickertt
2001Don Longbottom
2000Robert Pink
2000Colin Higgins
2000Arthur McDonald
2000Alma (Monnie) Raymont
 Leonard Wagner
 Ray ‘Silver’ Reynold
 Cecil Etwell
1999Lorraine Fisher BEM
1999Margaret Bell
1999Laraine Miller
1999Keith Bettridge
1999Peter Porter
1999David Dodds OAM
1999William Hoskins
1999Leonard Little
1999George Perkins
1999Cora Hausler
1999Peter Payne
1999Bruce Pain
1999Eric (Snow) Green
 Elvie Munt

 

Friendship & Fellowshp Award Winners

Year
Name
Role/Responsibility
2024 John Norris Announcer
2024 Averial Mahony Cooking Judge
2024 Shari Baldwin Equestrian Supporter
2024 Craig Porter Equestrian Supporter
2021 Jock Johnston Dairy Cattle Exhibitor
2021 Pamela Ferguson Fabric & Fibre Competition Coordinator
2020 Vicki Lane Announcer Assistant
2019 Edna O’Neill DRFC Committee
2019 Richard O’Neill DRFC Committee
2019 Kathie Lange DRFC Committee
2019 Val Rayner DRFC Committee
2018 Jill Temple Showgirl Committee
2018 Elizabeth Wilson Professional Development Program
2015 Dorothy March Showgirl Awards
2012 Angus Lane Announcer
2012 Terry Nilon Showman’s Guild Representative
2010 Warren Cummings RNA Councilor

Outstanding Individual Contribution Award Winners

Year
Name
Show Society
2024 Melanie Bryson Mudgeeraba Show
2023 Julie Walz Wandoan Show
2022 Denis Janetzki Oakey Show
2021 Eric ‘Snow’ Green Taroom Show
2020 Katherine Raymont Gatton Show
2019 Allan Denning Pittsworth Show
2018 Steve Hancock Mitchell Show
2017 Carissa Hallinan Tara Show
2016 Jessica Wild Maleny Show

Emerging Leader Award Winners

Year
Name
Show Society
2024 Adam Tokely Dayboro Show
2023 Shelly Doyle Warwick Show & Rodeo Inc
2022 Jessica Hanson Crows Nest Show

2021

TIE

Bec Skene

Melinda Wright

Pittsworth Show

Fraser Coast Show

2020 Amy Palmer Cunnamulla Show
2019 Jack Murphy Pittsworth Show
2018 Stacey Heidenriech Emerald Show
2017 Sarah Schultz Mudgeeraba Show
2016 Christie McLennan Taroom Show

Best Innovation in a Local Event Award Winners

Year
Show Society
Event
2024 Gympie & District Show The Haystack
2023 Toowoomba Royal Show Soirée at the Show
2022 Toowoomba Royal Show The Producers Long Lunch
2021 Pittsworth Show Cook The Crop
2020 Dayboro Show Agri Ed Pavilion & Kids Zone
2019 Dirranbandi Show Paul Kelly & Friends Concert
2018 Gatton Show Qld Dairy Showcase
2017 Wandoan Show WAGS
2016 Sunshine Coast Show

2022 Queensland Ag Shows State Final Information will not be released until each Sub Chamber Final has been completed and the respective Sub Chamber representatives determined. The closing date for notification of Sub Chamber representatives is 30 June.