Wee Waa delivers a spectacular 2023 show

The Wee Waa Show committee has received high praise from the community for putting on such a spectacular event at the weekend.

There was something for everyone, from sideshow alley rides to the magnificent pavilion displays. A highlight of the show is the Young Woman competition announcements on Friday night and this year four talented rural advocates put their hands up to participate in the program.

Montana Winter was named the 2023 senior Wee Waa Young Woman of the Year and Emma Holmes named runner-up.

Josie Galagher was named the 2023 junior Wee Waa Young Woman of the Year and Hayley Jenkins was named runner-up.

2023 junior Wee Waa Young Woman competition runner-up Hayley Jenkins and 2023 junior Wee Waa Young Woman competition winner Josie Galagher.

“I’d firstly like to say what an honour it is to be chosen as this year’s Young Woman of the Year,” said Montana.

“I would like to give a huge thank you to our coordinator Georgia Dickinson for all the support and encouragement throughout this wonderful experience.

“A very special thank you to our show committee and this year’s sponsors, without their timeless contributions this year’s 88th annual Wee Waa Show would not be such a success.

“Thank you to everyone here tonight for supporting our 2023 Wee Waa Show, I hope you all enjoy your evening and what the show has to offer.

“And last but not least, to these three beautiful young women standing beside me, you have done an amazing job and should be very proud of yourselves.”

Montana completed her studies at Wee Waa High School in 2022 and currently works in the local earthmoving industry with RSA Contractors.

Studying for her Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations externally through TAFE, Montana hopes to eventually take on her family’s earthmoving business and has a passion for encouraging young women to take interest in the earthmoving and civil construction industry.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Montana extends her impact into the community.

As well as being an active volunteer with Riding Develops Ability and local nursing homes, Montana has worked at Wee Waa Nurruby OOSH and often babysits for families in the community.

Montana said the Young Woman Competition was a great opportunity to build self-confidence, develop and refine her skills, and believes the competition is a great initiative to encourage community involvement.

2023 Young Woman steward and ASC Next Generation Delegate for Group 14 Georgia Dickinson, 2022 Sydney Royal Young Woman runner-up Jessica Towns, 2023 Wee Waa Young Woman of the Year Montana Winters, and 2022 Narrabri Young Woman of the Year Samantha Coppin.

“The local involvement was phenomenal,” said Wee Waa Show Society president Gary Hibbens about this year’s show.

As reported last week, the show committee received high praise from the community for staging such a spectacular weekend that kicked off on August 25.

“We were very pleased with the show,” said Gary.

“All the events – from the campdrafting to the pavilion.

“It was great to see the new and return of events like the meat smoking and siphon starting competitions.”

Gary said it’s been a “rewarding experience” to be the president and leader of the show society.

“It’s been great to see how much the event has grown and to also see new faces join the committee.”

This year marks the end of Gary’s tenure as president, and he wants to encourage locals to join the show committee.

“It would be great to see more involvement, especially from the young, dynamic people in our community.

“Within the past year our committee has welcomed quite a few new faces within our group of volunteers, and with that came new innovative and interesting ideas.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our volunteers who have dedicated so much of their valuable time to make this wonderful community event happen.

“Along with our organising committee – I would be lost without your ongoing help and perseverance.

“I want to express my gratitude to our wonderful sponsors both big and small.

“Your generous support and contributions, both financial and in-kind, be it the donation of time, equipment or machinery are greatly appreciated.”

The service of two devoted committee members was recognised at the show, with Janelle Schwager and Helen Haire presented with life membership honours.

Agricultural Society Council Next Generation Delegate for Group 14 Georgia Dickinson presented Ethan Towns and Caitlyn Coutts-Smith with ASC Next Generation ribbons, an initiative run through the ASC Next Generation to recognise youth involvement and contributions to the NSW Ag Show Movement.

Former Wee Waa resident Gavin Ingram opened the show and a report about his impressive and inspirational success story will feature soon.