Wet weather didn’t dampen spirits at the 88th Wee Waa Show, held on Friday and Saturday.
Crowds flocked to the Cotton Capital to soak-up two days of family fun and entertainment despite the soggy conditions causing the cancellation or postponement of some events including the horse event.
The dedicated committee ensured Wee Waa’s much-loved show went on in spectacular fashion.
Wee Waa Show highlights included the popular lolly drop, pavilion exhibits, show bags, baby show, pet show competition, live music, young farmers’ challenge, dog high jump, and meat masters’ contest.
Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens officially opened the show, following an Acknowledgement to Country delivered by Gamilaraay woman Helen Wenner.
“The Wee Waa Show is a highlight on the region’s annual calendar,” said Cr Tiemens.
“It provides a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, but it also showcases Wee Waa and all it has to offer locals and visitors alike.
“I would like to recognise and thank the committee on their tireless efforts.
“I’d also like to thank the sponsors, events like these cannot go ahead without your continued and generous support.”
Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens and Wee Waa Show secretary Ethan Towns.
There were some showstopping announcements on Friday night including the winners of the Young Woman competition and life membership honours.
Young Woman competition steward Nikita Hessel praised the six 2024 Wee Waa entrants, juniors Matilda Currey, Emily Hartnett, and Cassidy Welsh and senior entrants Jessica Hanslow, Emily Smolders and Dakota Welsh.
Nikita announced Emily Smolders as the 2024 Wee Waa Show Society’s senior Young Woman and the junior Young Woman title went to Emily Hartnett.
“I know for most, if not all of you, it took a lot to put yourselves out there and stand up here tonight,” said Nikita.
“I can definitely say when I stood up here as a senior entrant 11 years ago in what was then the Miss Showgirl I felt the exact same.”
Nikita said all the participants should feel ‘immensely proud’ of their accomplishments.
She thanked the sponsors and helpers who banded together to make the Young Woman competition a success and a highly beneficial and wonderful experience for the young rural advocates.
Emily Smolders told the Wee Waa News she was “very shocked” when her name was announced as the winner.
“I felt happy and nervous, a bit of both,” said Emily.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the community for coming out tonight and being here even with this weather.
“I would like to thank my family and partner for the constant support and encouragement, and my work family for giving me the push to step out of my comfort zone.
“I would like to thank the show committee, society, judges and all the participants for putting on an amazing event, it has been lovely getting to meet and know every single one of you.
“I would also like to thank and congratulate the other girls.
“I know how hard it was for all of your beautiful girls, but it has been a pleasure getting to know you all – you are all winners to me.”
The early childhood educator said her ambition was to be an advocate for young adults living in small communities who struggle with mental health, and she hoped to help others feel ‘more comfortable and confident with themselves’.
“There’s not much of a service out here for young adults struggling with mental health, so I want to try and bring that message forward and make more of a movement for it and see if we can get the ball rolling,” said Emily.
Emily Hartnett said she was “extremely happy” to be named the Wee Waa Show Society’s junior Young Woman and to take part in the program.
2024 Wee Waa Show Society’s senior Young Woman Emily Smolders, Young Woman competition steward Nikita Hessel, 2024 Wee Waa Show Society’s junior Young Woman Emily Hartnett.
“I’m really glad that I pushed myself to do it because it is such a great experience,” Emily told the Wee Waa News.
“Just getting out of my comfort zone because I’m not really into the public speaking.
“And even just connecting with all the other girls in a different way than what I have previously – it was just really amazing.”
Emily thanked her family, friends, the show committee and the community for their support, expressing how much she enjoys living in the Wee Waa district.
“I definitely love all my sporting teams and friendships,” added Emily.
When she entered the Young Woman competition, Emily said she hoped it would help her gain more self-confidence.
The Wee Waa High School student said her goals for the future included completing a Bachelor of Nursing at university and continuing to further her sporting interests.
Wee Waa Show Society president Gary Hibbens announced the life membership honours for three tireless members and volunteers Anna Baird, Michael Maxwell, and Peta Miguel.
The crowd cheered as the individual impacts and positive influences of each life member was recognised.
The trio were overwhelmed, and they all joked whether they were ‘old enough’ to be receiving life memberships.
“I feel humbled and proud to have life membership of the Wee Waa Show Society, bestowed on me this evening,” said Anna Baird.
“When I was nominated at the annual general meeting, I actually questioned whether I was old enough to be given life membership.
“Jokes aside, I feel very privileged and honoured to accept life membership.
“From memory, I have been involved in the show since the mid-1980s as an exhibitor when I started an interest in decorative flower arranging, under the guidance of Gwen Simshauser, Ollie Maxwell and Mary Brennan.
“Around 20 years ago, I started helping Gwen Simshauser and Mary Brennan who were the stewards of the horticulture section – mind you, I really didn’t know much, but I used to tag along and learnt all the ins-and-outs of the role of a steward.
“Once I started being involved, I can’t recall ever missing a Wee Waa Show.
“In the past three years, the dates have clashed with a yearly craft weekend at Keepit, but I still managed to get all the organising done and then get away.
“Thanks to Sue Fragar who was here on the Sunday morning for packing away and clean-up.
“This year I decided to miss the Keepit weekend as my involvement on the committee involved a little extra.
“I feel that being involved in community events, such as the show is extremely valuable and important for a small town.
“It pleases me to see some younger members come on board as executive and committee members and be part of the future of Wee Waa Show Society.
“Thank you.”
Michael Maxwell echoed Anna’s sentiments and said he felt “very humbled”.
Never one to shy away from putting his hand up to help, Michael said his family had a long history with the Wee Waa Show and it was part of what inspired him to give back.
“My grandfather, my great-grandfather, and my uncles, my sister have all been presidents,” he said.
“So, the Maxwells have always worked at the show, and I’m very proud to keep that going.
“I started competing in 1965 in the ring.”
Michael said his favourite part of the show “has always been the horses”.
“It’s just a good community event because there are so many different sections, there’s so many different people involved.
“We need members, we need to keep the show very vibrant and keep it going to be able to afford it all.”
Michael said his proudest achievements include his involvement with the main pavilion, the rodeo arena, and the pony club kitchen.
“They are the three big projects that I was part of, and I’ve also enjoyed working with all my mates.
“By the time we finished this pavilion they all probably hated me,” the popular volunteer joked.
“But we got it done.”
Peta Miguel, the youngest life member honoured on the night and former show president, was incredibly grateful for the recognition but was also very humble as she made a light-hearted remark:
“I just thought that older people got this kind of award”.
“You don’t expect to get this kind of award at this age, but I really enjoy the show,” said Peta.
“I had many fun years on the show committee and, for me, it’s something that brings all walks of the community together.
“Yes, it’s a lot about the horses … but everyone can be involved whether it’s the pavilion or the sideshow, an outing in town – it brings all different walks of life to the showground to use the facilities and come together.”
Peta said the social aspect was one of the reasons she initially joined up to be part of the show committee.
“I think I just wanted to get involved in the community,” she said.
“I’m not the sportiest person but for me it was a way of getting involved in a community event, and I quite like organising events and things where lots of people come together and have fun.
“My start on the show committee was organising the entertainment when Sue (Smith) was a president …and then it just sort of went on from there.
“There’s been good people to work with, it’s always been a fun thing to do.”
Peta praised mentors such as Michael Maxwell and Sue Smith and recalled working with the team to build up the numbers at the show and boost its financial position by bringing youth through the show gates.
“We started working out a way of attracting younger people with some entertainment and the farmers’ challenge.
“Implementing things like that where everyone can be involved and they don’t have to enter a horse or have a chook, they can just come on the afternoon or night and have fun.
“I think that side of the show is what I enjoyed the most.
“Sue and Michael were definitely great mentors to me and a great support.
“Sue really had a good knowledge of the community, from what was done in the past to what we were able to change to modernise to the future.
“She was open to new ideas.”
The Haverhoek family waiting for the pet show competition to start, Bree-arli with Dotti the dog, Matilda (who entered Rosie the rabbit, absent from photo), Gracie with Lloyd the dog and Evie with Toby-Joe the horse.
