The Kingston Agricultural Society will celebrate a milestone at their 150th agricultural show on Sunday, but many committee members are concerned that without new volunteers, it may be the show’s last hurrah.
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Kingston Agricultural Society secretary Chris Hastings said the society needed new volunteers to keep the Kingston Show running.
“The current committee and agricultural society members are ageing and ‘new blood’ is needed to ensure the future of the show and, importantly, the historic Kingston Showground,” Ms Hastings said.
”At the moment there are seven committee members. Many of those committee members have been involved in the Kingston Agricultural Society for more than 30 years. The big question is will the 150th be the last Kingston Show?”
The Kingston Agricultural Society has owned the showground since the group’s beginning in 1858. Since then, many have volunteered to maintain the four hectare area and buildings, including a heritage-listed grandstand, to ensure community use of the facilities can continue.
The showground is used for the annual agricultural show and by an adult rider group, until recently by a pony club, a cycling club, a CFA group and a young farmers group.
This year’s show will feature only horse and dairy goat competitions, what Ms Hastings describes as a “far cry from its glorious days when it was one of the premier Victorian shows”.
The show will be held at Kingston Showgrounds on Sunday.
Visit www.kingstonshow.org.au or email kas@kingstonshow.org.au to find out how you can help keep the Kingston Show and agricultural society running.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
