THE new Swan Hill District Show committee aims to return to the show’s roots with a revitalised focus on the region’s agriculture and small businesses.
Newly appointed show president Jess O’Shea said she and vice-president Leah Whitfield had received positive input from the community.
“The previous committee was ready for fresh blood, and Leah and I saw a need to continue the tradition for the community so we decided to run together,” Mrs O’Shea said.
“We see it as our duty to keep it evolving and to bring our fresh ideas to the table, while keeping the legacy alive.
“We’re the first women to be presidents of the show committee, but it’s our enthusiasm and fresh perspective that is important not our gender and we’re excited to be part of the show’s ongoing legacy.”
The new committee also includes Mel O’Laughlin as secretary and Kate Davison as treasurer.
While the committee is still in the early stages of planning the 2025 show, Mrs O’Shea has a vision of more agriculture, machinery and local business involvement, with the sideshows as an extra.
“We’ve already had really positive feedback from the community bringing ideas to us of things to bring back and give us their input, so that’s been really good,” she said.
“We need to look locally to fill our sheds up with farm animals for kids to come and look at them, to teach them about agriculture and how incredible their region is.
“We’re also hoping to increase the trade and stall area with more local small businesses.
“There’ll be a bit of the old and a bit of the new, with traditional things continuing to keep the legacy and a few surprises for attendees.”
Having grown up in Balranald and moving to Swan Hill in her early 20s, Mrs O’Shea has fond memories of the show from her childhood that she wants to share with her children.
“I used to go to the show when I was little and my kids go now, and Leah wants her kids to be able to go as they grow up like she did, so it’s important to us to keep it going,” she said.
“My favourite part of the show has always been the pavilion competitions, with all of the cakes and crafts.
“There’s such a variety of competitions that so many of the organisations around the region get involved in and enter.
“My daughter won a prize for her wooden spoon doll and now it’s in the crystal cabinet and that’s a special memory for our family.”
The committee encourages the community to volunteer at the Swan Hill District Show this year to make it possible.
JESS O’Shea’s appointment as the first female president of the Swan Hill District Show coincides with International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8.
IWD has roots tracing to the first suffragettes of the 18th century, and the first IWD rally was held in Australia in 1928 by Militant Women’s Group of the Communist Party.
Over the last century, the IWD has become a movement of celebrating women’s achievements and a rallying cry for the continued progress of women’s rights.
IWD aims to address global, regional and organisational gender inequality and works to create positive action.
The 2025 theme Accelerate Action addresses the achievements that have been won while acknowledging that it will still take until 2158 to reach full gender equality at the current rate of progress, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality with increased momentum and and urgency to address the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
More information on IWD celebrations and campaigns is available at internationalwomensday.com
