Katanning Agricultural Show threatens end after more than 135 years due to lack of leadership and members

The Katanning Agricultural Show could close if it doesn’t find new volunteers soon, with organisers calling on the community to keep the 135-year-old show alive. Former president Jill Kowald and former vice-president Rosalie Baxter have scheduled a special meeting on March 12 seeking new leadership and committee members after no one stepped up when they retired from their roles at the Annual General Meeting on February 12. The pair have worked on the show for about 20 years but said it was time to step down after life changes and sickness affected their availability. Ms Baxter said the show provided rural businesses, community groups, fundraisers, and local talent with vital financial, economic, exposure and growth opportunities, and its absence would damage Katanning’s community spirit. “The Katanning Show is the biggest social event in town throughout the year and it gives people the opportunity to catch up socially and see different people, to showcase what the town has, and how talented many of the people are,” Ms Baxter said. “Businesses in town don’t have the opportunity to showcase their business, community groups can’t fundraise, and future generations won’t enjoy the show like we have.” She said the two women had put their “heart and soul” into the show, and “worked too hard” to let it “fall in a heap” . Ms Kowald said it would be the end of the show if the roles were not filled. “If no one steps up now, once the show is gone, it’s gone,” she said. “It’ll be too hard to get it going again because there’s a limited amount of people that do sideshows and rides, so once you’re out, someone else will take them.” Ms Kowald said they felt let down that no one had volunteered, especially as they had given a year’s notice. “I was disappointed no one put their hand up,” she said. “Rosalie and I will be there to help them through the role. “We want to continue the show and we’re here to help whoever wants to come and put their hand up. “We need some new blood to step up to give new ideas and new energy.” The pair also encouraged more people to volunteer for the committee so jobs could be spread around equally to prevent overwork. The special meeting will be held on March 12 at 6.30pm at the Katanning Recreation and Function Centre shearing shed.