THERE’S a lot of work that goes into bringing a country show to the community, so much that Paddy Lenihan is already working on next year’s Rosewood Show, while working even harder on the 2025 event.
Paddy is the President of Rosewood Show Society and he’s had the job for so many years he’s stopped counting.
Every year he says ‘this year will be bigger and better’ and every year he’s been proven right.
“We work year-round and we’re already planning next year’s show,” he said.
“We fundraise throughout the year and hold events; we’ve just had our show ball and things keep rolling on.”
Paddy enjoys the show so much that moving out of the area didn’t knock him out of the game.
“I live in Gatton now so it’s a 45 minute drive one way,” he said.
“During the week of the show I’ll sleep in my truck.”
What is Rosewood Show Society doing right?
Paddy said it’s all down to volunteers and people passionate about the end result and that’s delivering a ‘proper country show’.
It has all the right ingredients, there’s livestock, there’s arts, crafts and traditional skills.
“There’s a small group of us who work tirelessly and are always on the go,” he said.
“I’m the president driving the ship but I have some very capable people behind me that make things happen.
“Without the committee I wouldn’t have a hope making anything happen.”
The community are a key ingredient, people keep exhibition halls filled and arenas packed with supportive audiences.
When there’s this much heart in a show, you know it’s borrowed from the community surrounding it.
The entertainment setup means multiple experiences are happening without the need to travel to a different location.
This year the show society has been bolstered by multiple new Chief Stewards.
The call went out that positions were open, questions were asked and before long some new faces were at the coalface.
Also new to the show is Paddy’s secretary Fiorella Miles, this is the first year she’s been involved in that capacity.
Families are a major focus when planning show days.
“Once they come through the gates there will be a lot of free entertainment to keep the kids busy,” she said.
“People are struggling so we want to make the day as stress free as possible when it comes to cost.”
