Gunnedah Show Society president Kath Wilkinson is returning with renewed enthusiasm for the role in 2024.

The committee lead is busily preparing for another year of the second biggest event in the district – the Gunnedah Show.

“The biggest is AgQuip but the difference is almost all our members are volunteers,” Kath said.

“Our biggest strength is in our volunteers.

“We have about 100 [volunteer] convenors, and added to that would be all those who assist them at the show.”

Kath took over the committee reins last year as the show society’s first female president and is loving every minute of it.

“I really enjoy it – I love seeing the people do what they’re passionate about, and our convenors are very passionate about their sections,” she said.

The returning show president has also seen big change with an almost 40-year association with the event.

“I came to Gunnedah in 1988 and have been involved with the show since then – I’ve done many of the jobs,” she said. “I have an industrial democracy, I like tying it all together and letting [the convenors] show their creative flair for what they do.”

Last week the show society hosted the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce ‘beers and bubbles’ networking event at the showground.

Patrons were provided a brief rundown of the show society’s functions and plans for the 2024 show.

“Our local state member will be attending and opening the show this year,” Kath said.

“He’s really keen on doing that.”

More show details will be announced soon, backed by loyal support from the show sponsors who understand the mutual benefit of local events.

“Almost 100 per cent of the convenors are locals, who have families here and they shop locally,” Kath said.

“I think because they are local, they are very important to the people we want to be our sponsors.

“They can be comfortable that the people here will support their businesses because our people are local, they shop local and their families shop locally.”

Kath was also excited about the return of the show society’s best shopfront window competition. Businesses are encouraged to display their best show-themed shopfront.

She said the event was resurrected last year, much to the delight of the Gunnedah community.

“It was great fun – people loved seeing it back,” Kath said.

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