The weather was fine, hardly any wind and the atmosphere was great!  Although it is only a short time since the Show it already feels likes months now that I've 'recovered' so to speak, because life goes on after the show and work and family and the washing up can only wait for so long. 

Firstly on behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank EVERYBODY who in any way shape or form helped out. There are so many people who come and give their time so willingly that I know that I would miss some one and that's not good.  As yet, I haven't been back to the office to do a big sort out of all the information that is there, but roughly we think there were about 3,000 people through the gates over the weekend.
The Crazy Cup Cake competition was well supported with at least four entries in each age group (except for Year 1).  Our thanks to Scott and Virginia at Dayboro Bakery for coming on board and sponsoring this.  Hopefully this will become a highlight of the show for years to come.  The winner in the open adult class lives at Windsor, and with entries from Ferny Hills as well as Dayboro - hey the challenge is out there for next year.
The entertainment that we had was excellent again, and most will be back again next year.  Dale's Dogs and Ducks were a lot of fun;  the snakes were slithery;  and the animal nursery was well supported.  Rob from the Dreamtime Reptiles had his work cut out, as he was called on three times to remove 'real wild snakes' from the public areas.  I guess that was because the weather was so good they were coming out to sunbathe! 
Wasn't it great to see the ferris wheel up this year - the ground was firm enough to support it, and it really made the place look like a show. 
The Queensland Championship woodchop was all done and dusted in 33 seconds.  Danny Staib (the winner) and the other axemen are certainly fit and amazing to watch.  Our thanks to XXXX for their continued support of this Championship event.
The children's treasure hunt saw many entries and it was pleasing to see some older children helping the younger ones to 'find' the treasures that were hidden around the grounds.  The winner of the push bike and helmet was Jacob Maxwell from Kenmore.  He was an excited young man when I rang to let him know that he had won.  It was interesting to see where the kids had come from - many locals which is great, but some from Mt Gravatt, Ascot, down the Pine areas and all over the place.
I actually got to see the chooks this year.  There was certainly a good display of breeds and all sizes of birds.  There were some that I had never heard of before - Joanne Hutchinson's big Malay something or other was huge, but he was a very quiet big boy - not like my attack rooster that went to chook heaven after going for me once to often.
Did you see the Bell 47 helicopter?  Captain Mike was really happy with the weekend - I don't know that he made a million, but it was great flying weather, and lovely and clear.  We have some absolutely wonderful photos taken from the 'copter which we will eventually get printed out.  (I can't do that yet, but the kids have put them on to the computer and they just roll around as the screen saver, so I can look at them any time I want to.)  Thanks to Neville Stewart for allowing us to use a part of the back paddock for the heli-pad.  The helicopter will be back next year and once we find out costings etc there is a possibility that we will offer a lay-by system so that you can pay off your flight, rather than have to find $50 or $60 at the one time.  More on this later.
I was a bit disappointed at the number of people who didn't stay for the fireworks this year, but I was certainly not disappointed with the fireworks.  K.C.'s Fireworks seem to be able to give us a better show every year - we have been having them for 14 years now thanks to David and Christine Easlea and Stephen and Ros Shafer.  Without their support for every one of those 14 years, the fireworks are something that just wouldn't happen.  Of course without the support of all our sponsors there are many things that wouldn't happen and we wouldn't have a show at all.
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the passing of one of our life members in the week prior to the Show.  Mr Dick Dale, who lived in the brick house opposite the Laceys Creek Road entrance to the grounds, for so many years was one of Dayboro's 'gentlemen' and he will be missed by many.  Dick did the mowing and kept an eye on the place for us when he was a younger man.  Although Dick hasn't lived in town for a few years, everytime I'd drive past the house I would look at the hibiscus bushes and think of him. 
We extend our sincere sympathy to Joy and Brian and girls. We also extend our sincere sympathy to Steve McCabe and his family on the passing of his father;  and to the members of the Wirth family on Dave's passing;  and the Francis family on Jean's passing.  In all it was a very sad week in our little town for so many people, who have been touched in some way by knowing these people.
It will be a few weeks before we know if we made a profit on the Show, the bills are coming in but, even if we didn't come out in front, it was a great show and one that all of Dayboro can be proud of and we look forward to an even better 55th Show next year.

Alison Taylor,
Secretary