The Mudgeeraba Show Society is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit charity organisation that caretakes the beautiful Mudgeeraba Showgrounds and hosts the annual Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show.
In 2023, the Show Society will proudly host the 93rd Show in its history.
But that’s not all. The Society also runs a Show Ambassador program, awarding a handful of upstanding locals the opportunity to represent the Society throughout the year.
Show Ambassador awards include: Young Woman of the Year, Teen Young Woman of the Year, Community Spirit Winner and Rural Ambassador.
The society’s all-women executive team assesses the written applications, after which applicants proceed to a panel interview and a public appearance, where they compete in a question-and-answer session.
Winners become the public face of the Show. They are advocates of the Agricultural Show movement and play a vital role in the delivery of the event by hosting the Junior Ambassador competition, meeting with VIPs and sponsors, attending media, promotional and networking functions and most importantly, encouraging other young people to become involved in their local Show.
In return, Ambassadors gain vital leadership and interpersonal skills, personal growth and create networks with other ambassadors from across Queensland.
Mudgeeraba Show Society President Melanie Bryson explains why the Show Ambassador program is so important.
“Like many volunteer organisations, our legacy will only continue with the support and enthusiasm of our youth,” she says.
“The next generation of passionate advocates for the Agricultural Show movement is born from within our Show Ambassador program.
“It is critical that we embrace our youth and support them as they rise to senior roles within the organisation.”
2023 is a little different to past years, says Melanie.
“Every cloud has a silver lining, and after a devastating 2022 (our Show was cancelled only a month out due to the grounds being saturated after the SEQ weather event), we are proud to have double the amount of Show Ambassadors in 2023.
“Our 2022 Show Ambassadors didn’t get their time to shine at Showtime, so this year we are back bigger and better than ever with both our 2022 and 2023 Ambassadors.”
Previous Show Ambassadors have gone on to have successful careers in teaching, marketing, finance and real estate. Teen entrants have included engineering students and girl guides.
“All of our entrants are vibrant, engaged members of our community, many have volunteered with other community groups at the Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show for over ten years,” says Melanie.
The Show Ambassador winners for 2023 are:
2023 Young Woman of the Year - Bethany McDonald
2023 Teen Young Woman of the Year - Alyssa Donaldson
2023 Teen Young Woman of the Year Runner up - Haylee Bull
2023 Community Spirit Award Winner - Camilla Guthrie
About Bethany McDonald:
Bethany is proud to be the 2023 Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show Young Woman of the Year. Bethany has lived in Mudgeeraba for over 18 years and is an active member of the Mudgeeraba community.
As a friend of the Mudgeeraba Lions Club and a former Mudgeeraba Girl Guide, Bethany has volunteered her time with both organisations at the Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show over a number of years serving damper with the Girl Guides and sizzling sausages with the Lions.
In 2022, Bethany graduated with a Diploma of Event Management from TAFE Queensland and during this time, Bethany volunteered as an intern with the Mudgeeraba Show Society. Bethany’s enthusiasm and commitment made her a perfect candidate to represent the Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show in 2023.
