Sat. Nov 16th, 2024

It’s Showtime! The 2024 Agricultural Show program begins in the New England with the Bundarra Show, a massive three-day event starting on Australia Day 26th January.

Bundarra Show Society is taking full advantage of the Australia Day long weekend, with the 2024 Bundarra Show and Demolition Derby showcasing a full three-day program. Events include Divisional Jackpot Barrel Racing, Ute Show and Barrel Racing, Team Penning, Quick Shear, Stud Beef Cattle Showing, Lawn Mower Racing demonstrations and the New England Championship Demolition Derby and Queen of Crash.

The Bundarra Show Society, led by President Peter Gregory, has been working at revitalising their annual Show for several years. The Show Committee has put in a lot of effort into improving the Showground, with the dilapidated timber stables and amenities being recently upgraded thanks to grant funding. The 2024 Bundarra Show will be an opportunity to showcase their efforts.

“We have worked hard at rebuilding our committee, and this has allowed us to bring back events such as the Stud Cattle Judging,” Mr Gregory said.

“We haven’t been able to run this for more than 5 or 6 years, but we have been able to see its return this year, which is great.”

“This is also the first year we are running a Horse Barrel Racing event, which has also been really well received.”

The action begins on Friday night under lights with one of the feature events – the Ironman-style New England Championship Demolition Derby. This will test the endurance of participants and their vehicles, with drivers putting their machines through multiple rounds of punishment.

Having noticed the involvement of a handful of female competitors in the traditional Demolition Derby in recent years, the committee is trialling a Women’s event this year, to encourage greater participation. This is the first event of its kind in NSW and has already received numerous registrations. The event will also involve multiple rounds, with the last one standing awarded the ‘Queen of Crash’.

The welcome return of the Stud Cattle judging will take place on Saturday morning, with the Twilight Team Penning to run from 5.00pm. Heats for the Barrel Racing for Horses will also take place on Saturday, with the Divisional Jackpot final rounds being held on Sunday.

The Ute Show is always a well-supported event of the Bundarra Show, with judging across many categories including Best 4×4, Best Chick’s Ute, Best Classic, Best Holden and Best Ford, most flags, most stickers, and loudest exhaust! The Ute Barrel Race event will follow the judging.

A Quick Shear competition is organised for Saturday afternoon, comprising of Novice, Intermediate and Open divisions. The pedal-powered frenzy of the ‘Push Bike Powered Shear’ is also a novel inclusion which will no doubt be a great spectacle for showgoers.

The Racing Lawnmower Association will be providing racing demonstrations across the weekend. Bar and canteen facilities are available each day, with local market stalls and activities for the kids all day Saturday.

Great prize money is on offer for all events at the Bundarra Show. For more information and to find out how to register for events, please contact Bundarra Show Society President Peter Gregory on (0429) 691 827 or Bundarra P&A & Rodeo Society Facebook page.


Like what you’re reading? Support The New England Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Support now