2009 Toowoomba Royal Show - Official Opening
26 March 2009
Mr Mike Horan, MP, Member for Toowoomba South,
The Honourable Ian Macfarlane, MP, Federal Member for Groom,
Councillor Peter Taylor, Mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council
Mr Ken Pascoe, President of the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies
Mr Rod Stirling, Vice Patron of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland,
Mr John McDonald, AM, Chairman of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland
Other Distinguished Guests,
Sponsors, Exhibitors, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls.
In the spirit of reconciliation and community harmony that we wish to promote throughout Queensland, I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are gathered: the Giabul and Jarrowair people.
Thank you for your warm welcome, and for the invitation to open the 2009 Toowoomba Royal Show.
It is wonderful to be back. As many of you know, I was born in Toowoomba and spent many happy holidays here as child, visiting my grandparents. Since I became Governor, seven months ago, I have visited a number of times, both personally and officially. In fact, I visit here as often as I can. In September last year I was delighted to start officially the Grand Central Floral Parade - and I am now just as delighted to be part of the other grand event of the Toowoomba Year - the Heritage Royal Show.
As you all know, this is the 145th Toowoomba Royal Show, which is truly a remarkable milestone - with our State of Queensland only five years older than the Show! It is a terrific reminder of the important role that Toowoomba and this rich region of the Darling Downs has played in the history and development of our State. For me, though, the Show is synonymous with the start of Autumn - which is such a beautiful time in the Downs, when deciduous trees just start to show a hint of the glorious colours to come, the air is cooler and more comfortable - and better suited to the Show's three days of excitement, activity and fun, including the wonderful food and entertainment, the exhibitions and displays and the produce for which the Downs is justly renowned.
For many families, the countdown to "Show Day" begins soon after Christmas, whether it is diligently training for dressage, practising for events, preparing an entry for an exhibition, or - for those not participating or exhibiting - just planning for "Show Day" - what to see, which of the rides in Sideshow Alley to try first, and which of the tempting show bags to buy.
The schedule of events this year is bigger and better than ever, showcasing the diversity of our agricultural industries and promoting innovation; there will also be fashion parades, cattle dog trials, cooking demonstrations and entertainment for all - no wonder crowds keep flocking to the showgrounds from throughout the region, year in and year out, to sample all that is on offer.
With so many events and activities running simultaneously through the packed three-day schedule, it is a real challenge to pick which one to see next - and a challenge too, to organise and oversee. I pay tribute to the hard work of the General Committee and the 300 volunteers and staff who labour, behind the scenes, to ensure that everything runs as seamlessly as possible. I acknowledge also the dedication of the Ladies Auxiliary, whose members work so diligently to raise the needed funds for building maintenance and improvements that are so important to ensuring all visitors can continue to enjoy the highest standard of facilities at the show.
The Darling Downs is renowned as one our premier food producing regions - a gourmet's paradise - bread basket to the South East and the home of dedicated and innovative agricultural producers. Toowoomba itself, while now a cosmopolitan university city is also one of the oldest settled parts of our State, and the custodian of much of our State's most beautiful heritage buildings. I like to think that the Show draws all these strands together - and showcases them to those who don't have the good fortune and privilege to live in or close to this lovely garden city.
I also know that for many families, the Show is a treat shared by generations - and that families share the work too, helping to prepare exhibitions, grooming animals and preparing for events. I hope that amidst all this work, as families, you will also find the time to visit the other attractions the show has to offer. Whatever your event or involvement, I wish you every success and enjoyment of this marvellous show and I thank you for all you do as families, as members of the larger ‘Toowoomba Family' to support and maintain the grand tradition of this, the first and Queensland's oldest Agricultural Show. It is you who create the links within families, within communities, and between the towns of the Downs and its surrounding regions, that lock this region together and make it such a special part of Queensland.
Ladies and Gentlemen, you have every reason to feel very proud of your Toowoomba heritage. I know that I certainly do - and am looking forward to the wonderful program which has been arranged this evening to ensure that People's Day lives up to all our expectations and ends with a bang! I'm told that the Family Fireworks Spectacular that will crown today's "People's Day" will be the largest fireworks display ever seen in Toowoomba.
Thank you for attending this Official Opening - but do come back tomorrow and Saturday to see and to enjoy everything that is available; and tell all your friends and neighbours to do the same. Help make this 145th show the very best ever.
It is now my great pleasure to declare open officially the 2009 Heritage Toowoomba Royal Show.