AS the Maleny Show Society prepares to celebrate 100 years of shows this year, it has welcomed seven new life members, recognising their contribution to the ongoing success of the beloved Maleny Show. Ed Lawley, 2021 life member Ian Aldred, Matthew Howard, Norma McLeod, Kayrene and Bob Corkin, Ken McPhee and Laurelle Newton (pictured right) have been recognised for their incredible service over many decades.
GC&M News spoke with the 2022 new life members about what was special about being involved in the show society…
Norma McLeod
Age: 86
First involved: I became involved with the show when I first arrived in Maleny in 1994. I met Peggy Burnett on a garden club trip and she convinced me to help her with the cut flowers display at the upcoming Maleny Show. I helped her until her retirement, then went on to assist Olga for a number of years before becoming the chief steward; I then moved into the floral art display.
Favourite memory: Ivan (Hankinson) asked me to decorate the stage at the show for the first time, and I did so for 11 years – it was a big job. My husband, Keith, and many others would all help bring the stage display together. One year, Keith was tasked with building a cottage for the stage, and we decorated it with 1,000 handmade paper jacaranda flowers. We were asked to leave the display on stage for Gardening on the Edge and everyone was taken by surprise at how realistic the flowers looked.
What do you love about volunteering for the show? It’s just a pleasure to volunteer. You get to meet people, it keeps you involved in your community and keeps your brain – and body – active. It’s good for you and it’s good to help. It’s been a pleasure working with both the previous and current executive committee and just a pleasure to participate in the Show each year.
Matthew Howard
Age: 58
First involved: I became involved when I was 19. I had just left school and joined the Royal Youth, which became a part of the Show Society. The first project that I worked on was the construction of the Dairy Pavilion in 1985, followed by the Show Pavilion in 1987. I’ve been involved in a number of projects over the years as junior and senior vice president, and now as a committee member. It’s such a great group of people.
Favourite memory: There are two that come to mind. Firstly, we had just had lights installed and I had suggested we run a night program as part of the show – it was a huge success, with night time entertainment and our first fireworks display… it was very well received. Secondly, after the construction of the main pavilion in ’87, we held a dance in the hall in time for everyone and it was just wonderful.
What do you love about volunteering for the show? I love that everyone comes together. We all have our bits that we do throughout the year, but at show time we all come together, and whether it’s the wood chopping, the floral display, the fruit and veg… we all love it. Even people that aren’t involved directly, they’re always dropping off homemade food and baked goods… there’s no Arnott’s biccies in sight!
Kayrene Corkin
Age: 75 years
First involved: As a child my parents were involved in the Maleny Show. I first became involved in the 1970s helping with catering, but my real love has been since the 1990s where I became Steward of the Main Ring.
Favourite Memory: As a child sitting in the classroom at Maleny State School when we saw the first Side Show Truck roll into town was exciting.
Also, there was always fun and laughter working alongside the Main Ring Announcer, the Late Alain Henderson, for almost 30 years.
What do you love about volunteering: The joy of seeing the show come together after a week of preparation prior to the show; the renewing of friendships with other volunteers and competitors who have been attending year after year. It is all worthwhile if the sun shines and the show is a success.
Bob Corkin
Age: 78 years
First involved: Officially in the 1980’s but before that it was tagging along with Family. I’ve been on the Grounds Committee, tasked with setting up before the show, as well as helping erect the horse yard before the show. I also work in the Show jumping Ring throughout the show.
Favourite Memory: The Junior Six Bar on Friday Night, Show jumping.
What do you love about volunteering: I love the friendships and camaraderie over the years.
Laurelle Newton
Age: 78
First involved: Over 45 years ago. I think it was Gerry Cole and Ros Sinclair who encouraged me to help out at the show. At the time my husband was in business and growing up my parents were always volunteering their time to help others – it was just the right thing to do… you do things for the good of the community.
Favourite memory: I don’t have just one memory that springs to mind, but I suppose it is just meeting up with people. I was incredibly humbled to be recognised by the society with this lifetime membership.
What do you love about volunteering: The camaraderie. Being with people and working alongside them to see the show come together. There wouldn’t be a show with the volunteers.
Ken McPhee
Age: 90
First involved: About 45 years ago. I joined the Pony Club and became involved through the club, helping with the kid’s show jumping.
Favourite memory: I’ve made a lot of good friends over the years through the show. There’s a photo on myself and some other great blokes sitting on the back of a ute… I still have that photo. There was one year we all put our brands on the wall – I’m sure they are there somewhere. There’s been a lot of great memories over the years.
What do you love about volunteering: It’s good to do something for the district and you make a lot of friends along the way. There’s some that are missing now, but we’ve got great memories of times together.
Ed Lawley
Age: 67
First involved: I guess I first became involved as a young boy, helping my Father show cattle; as a volunteer I was around 19 or 20, as an apprentice carpenter. As a builder I co-ordinated the build of the showgrounds pavilion and was involved over the years in a lot of the upgrades around the grounds. I also volunteered time in the cattle section, before becoming steward in the late ‘80s. In 1993 I became chief steward of the dairy section.
Favourite memory: As a volunteer, I would have to say finishing the showground pavilion in 1987. There were around 60 volunteers involved in the project and it was great to see it finalised and enjoyed.
What do you love about volunteering: The comradeship between everyone. We’re all like-minded people and appreciate the work that is done by everyone. We have a great community here in Maleny… there magic in the fabric of the community here in Maleny.