Kiama’s oldest organisation, the Kiama Show Society, will celebrate its 175th year of continuous community service at next year’s Show.

With bushfires and rain and then COVID-19 forcing the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 Shows, and the 2022 event to be held in a much reduced fashion, the Show Society is eager to welcome back bumper crowds in 2023.

To mark its anniversary as the third longest lasting show society in Australia, next year’s Show will honour its rural traditions, as well as embracing attractions which are hallmarks of modern shows.

“Events planned for 2023, which have featured from the first and early Shows, include show jumping and cattle judging, as well as the perennially popular woodchop and Pavilion exhibits,’’ says Kiama Show Society President Neil McLaren.

“Wheat, barley potatoes, butter, field peas, bacon, salt pork, preserves, fruit mince and flowers were among the exhibits at the first Show in 1849. Today there are more than 1700 categories – covering produce, flowers, cookery, art and handicrafts.”

These Show staples will figure alongside other longstanding family traditions such as the Pet Show, fireworks and carnival rides, and new favourites including La Petit Grande and supercross motorbikes.

While plans are still being finalised, there are a number of ways the 175th Society anniversary (known as a Dodransbicentennial) will be marked, including special Pavilion classes, a visit from a bullock team, an old machinery display, and a historic pictorial timeline.

As the oldest and still the biggest community event in the Municipality, Mr McLaren says organisers are keen to plan an event that is not only entertaining but a great opportunity for people to catch up with friends.

“From its earliest days, the Kiama Show was very much a part of the fabric of the town, not only in terms of showcasing agricultural pursuits but also as a real social occasion,’’ he says.

“The Show was a chance for busy rural families to catch up. People used to see each other in town, wish each other Merry Christmas and say “see you at the Show”.

“Going to the Show is part of the story of many Kiama families and we’d love new people to create that tradition for their own families.’’

Mr McLaren says funding and planning for the Show with volunteers is always challenging and he encourages the community to consider volunteering their time, or taking up sponsorship

opportunities and Kiama Show Society membership.

“For many, the Show is a labour of love but it takes money, time and a nod from the weather gods, to mount a successful Show. Any and all support is gratefully accepted, especially by coming along and joining in on the fun,’’ he says.

Friday 27 January and Saturday 28 January

Visit the Kiama Show website for membership, volunteering and sponsorship details, and keep updated via Facebook and Instagram.

As a longstanding sponsor, in the new year The Bugle will be creating a mini-app for the Show, accessible from The Bugle App home page