Third generation show society member
By Sonia Isaacs
LATE last year Maleny Show Society welcomed in their new president Lynda Burgess, who said she was honoured, and also proud to be a third-generation volunteer member.
Lynda said she was thrilled to be the new president, and said she was looking forward to building upon what had already been achieved to date, while also steering the show into the future.
“After a bit of consideration, I realised it was the right time for me to put my hand up. I’m excited to embrace new ideas, but also continue to develop what we already have in place by looking at fresh ways to enhance the show experience,” she said.
Lynda said her family had enjoyed a long history of volunteer involvement spanning nearly 90 years. She had been a member herself for nearly twenty years, having previously held the position of secretary for six years in the mid 2000s. Prior to this, Lynda spent 16 years as a member of the Nambour Show Society during the 1980s and early 1990s.
She said she had found a renewed interest in the rich community history of the Maleny organisation after coordinating a special 100-year anniversary commemorative exhibit of all past life and honorary life members last year.
She said it was during her research that she unexpectedly discovered her paternal grandfather had been a committee member way back in the 1930s. Lynda said a few decades later in 1957 her dad became a member and went on to have a long association with the society that spanned nearly 40 years. Her mum, Hilda Penney was also awarded life membership in 2021.
“Discovering more about the history of the show was incredibly interesting and rewarding. It also gave me a renewed insight and appreciation into the number of families in our community who have been involved in the success of the show over the years – some of whom are third and even fourth generation members,” Lynda said.
“It also reset a focus that my involvement was placed for the right reasons, and gave me a boosted interest in the ongoing importance of the show,” she added.
Lynda said while it was important to honour and continue the agricultural traditions, she was also very keen to encourage the next generation to become involved and help propel the show into the future.
“We want to maintain the status of the rural aspect of the show while also embracing new ideas and advancements,” she said.
Lynda said she saw her role as one that made sure the Maleny Show moved forward in a positive way while also encouraging more people to be involved.
“We are happy to encourage our next generation to be more engaged, and are open to new opportunities,” she said.
The 2024 show will be officially launched in mid February followed by a country-style bush bash organised by the ‘millennium moovers’ on March 16.
Lynda said she was excited about the resurgence of interest in agricultural shows in recent years, and looked forward to exploring some new ideas and enhancing traditional formats.
