A familiar face at The Kiama Show, local legend John Downes spends another year taking part in the festivities with his family. 

John is currently the longest serving committee member for the Kiama Show Society, and has worked more than 55 years as a Woodchop Steward and attends the show every year. 

John has a passion for the people in his community and local area. Despite a short stint in hospital recently, John was back at the show working as the self-titled ‘PR man’ this year. 

The caring Kiama Show Committee (facetiously) threatened to ‘sack him if he touched a tool’ but John could rely on his family to help get the job done. 

Woodchopping in the Downes family is a tradition passed down. John’s son, Matt is the Assistant Chief Steward for the woodchopping competitions at the Kiama Show. He has been chopping wood since he was around ten years old. John’s two grandchildren and his nephews also join him each year at the Kiama Show to help out.

The Downes family has a long history of involvement with The Kiama Show and woodchopping. John’s father was involved in the cattle section of the Kiama from 1943.

John says he now has around eight or nine relatives that join him in the woodchopping community and they all help out at Kiama Show. 

He loves meeting new people and seeing old friends. He has recently finished up a 55-year career with the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service (RFS) where he received the RFS Commissioner’s Commendation for Service. He has also had a long history as a sportsman, getting involved in football.

John is a familiar face around the area and a selfless and dedicated attribute to Kiama.