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
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
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION
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
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
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 |
For the 2024 Queensland Ag Shows Awards program, click here.
