THERE'S a renewed focus on the future direction of Queensland Shows with the announcement of the newly endorsed board of directors, following the organisation's annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday.
Two changes in the form of sub-chamber delegates were made to the fourteen-strong board.
Mt Larcom's Craig Butler will replace Gavin Smith as central Queensland delegate, after Mr Smith's five year service in the position.
Deb Rowlands takes on one of the near north coast delegate positions.
Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies' (QCAS) CEO Mark Bryant said he was happy with the appointments.
"Both are experienced agricultural show people and both will bring a wealth of experience to the board," he said.
Keith Bettridge, Mt Wilga, Alpha, was renominated and elected for his fifth and final term as QCAS president.
He is joined by senior vice president Estelle Drynan, junior vice president David Lemberg and treasurer Monica Skerman.
"Both are experienced agricultural show people and both will bring a wealth of experience to the board."
"The team has started the year with their main goal to establish the strategic plan for the organisation and Keith looks forward to realising his goals of moving the Queensland show movement to new heights by the end of the term," Mr Bryant said.
Mr Bettridge said the strategic plan for the next 12 months will be to establish a vision and goals for QCAS.
The focus of the QCAS Next Generation body, QCAS' input towards national bodies into the future and Queensland Show's next state conference are all high on the agenda for the strategic plan.
He said the conference, scheduled for January 15-17, 2016, at Gatton, will be designed to provide useful information for every show in the state.
Senior vice president Estelle Drynan added that the strategic plan aims to bring consistency across all of the 128 Queensland shows, particularly regarding competition rules, to ensure their sustainability into the future.
QCAS Next Generation executive
THE QCAS Next Generation body aligned their AGM with their mother organisation, bringing it forward from the Brisbane Exhibition.
Few changes were made to the executive. The newly endorsed Next Generation executive is as follows:
- President - Rowan O'Hara, Sunshine Coast and Chinchilla Show Societies
- Vice-president - Janine Milne, Rockhampton Show society
- Treasurer - Kerri Robertson, Goondiwindi Show society
- Secretary - Jessica Kerr, Charleville Show society
For more information, visit the Queensland Shows website.