Community & Business
7 July, 2021
Atherton show returns a “roaring success”
THOUSANDS of people across the Tablelands walked through the gates of the Atherton Showgrounds for the first time in over a year as the Atherton Show kicked off last Monday.
THOUSANDS of people across the Tablelands walked through the gates of the Atherton Showgrounds for the first time in over a year as the Atherton Show kicked off last Monday.
After returning from a COVID forced break the Atherton Show returned in 2021 over Monday and Tuesday last week with a plethora of games, activities, prizes and competitions for locals to enjoy.
Families and friends were able to enjoy a great day at the show while the Atherton Show Society was excited to welcome people through the gates.
“We’ve got 7000 ticket sales but there could have been 10 to 12 000 people through the gates because they came Monday and Tuesday,” Atherton Show Society president Leanne Thomas said.
“It was much better than what we had hoped for.
“The show was a roaring success.”
According to Atherton Show Society secretary Vicki Baylif, this massive number of attendees was due to a “terrific Tablelands community.”
“The fact that our show was a little earlier meant that a lot of people we’re ready for the show,” Vicki said.
“They turned up and supported us, so we are very grateful to the Tablelands community for supporting the show.
“We also have incredible volunteers and volunteer groups, without them we couldn’t do the show.”
One of these volunteers who has earned high praise for her endless hours of organising and volunteering was Atherton Show Society event coordinator Kylie Lang.
“Kylie needs to be acknowledged for going above and beyond to ensure that the show happens,” Vicki said.
Kylie was unavailable to comment as she was taking a well-deserved rest after many tireless days and long hours of organising, planning and coordinating.
Caitlin Murray was crowned as the show’s newest representative being voted the 2021 showgirl after participating in the competition.
After participating in her first competition being crowned most popular princess for the Mareeba Rodeo, Caitlin fell in love with the show scene and all that it represents.
As part of the competition to be crowned Atherton Show Girl, Caitlin along with the other contestants had to step outside their comfort zones, speaking to sponsors of the show and displaying their public speaking skills.
“Since winning my first title I just fell in love with the whole competition and about what it means,” Caitlin said.
“It’s about representing your community, society and inspiring women.
“It’s not just a beauty contest you can be whatever size or whatever colour it’s all about who you are as a person.”
Now as the new face of the Atherton Show Caitlin will be travelling around to other shows throughout the year representing the Atherton Show.
Next year Caitlin will be going up against other show representative’s looking towards the district crown which is currently held by Tolga local, Paige Schofield.
In other show news Chloe Robertson was crowned Junior Showgirl while Louise Garard and Emma Nicholls were crowned Rural and Junior Rural Ambassadors respectively, Tenae Ghelfi was named Junior Show Ambassador.
