Charlotte Varcoe
TWO Mount Gambier Agricultural and Horticulture Show Society members have celebrated a collective 100 years experience between them.
Malcolm Kilsby and Trevor Kuhl celebrated receiving Life Memberships under the society at its recent annual general meeting.
Speaking on the recent acknowledgement Mr Kilsby said he first started being involved in the show at about 12 years old but became a serious competitor in 1974.
“My mother and father were members and so I would go and help out which I enjoyed,” Mr Kilsby said.
“Over the years we have seen a few sections drop off due to lack of volunteers and features are becoming harder to find.”
He said technology had also made a difference in how a show was run with a lack of volunteers being the main issue.
“We have had to be more efficient and use modern machinery and technology but it is great when you put on a good show and get that positive feedback because it makes you feel good,” Mr Kilsby said.
During his time in the show society, Mr Kilsby has held the title of both chairperson and secretary of the pastoral committee as well as junior vice president, senior vice president, treasurer on the finance committee and on the grounds committee.
“In the future I am looking forward to seeing more volunteers coming through and having younger people coming on so they can pass the knowledge and carry it on,” he said.
“I am also looking forward to further upgrades at the camping ground which will give us the money to put into other areas so the show can become more sustainable in itself and not rely on outside money which is hard to come by because we do not fit into many categories.”
Mr Kilsby said after being part of the show for about 52 years, he never thought he would continue with the committee for this long.
“I never really thought about how long I would be a part of it for because you just keep going and showing up,” he said.
“I like the community involvement and giving back to the community so the show is good and you keep enjoying it and coming back to make sure it is a valuable asset for the community.”
Mr Kuhl also commented on his enjoyment of being a part of the society for more than 50 years.
“I was first involved with the show through my grandfather at about seven years old,” Mr Kuhl said.
“I grew up with the poultry so there was a real natural progression and I have been involved in the show for about 55 years and have been a member for about 51 years.”
He said at the moment he was involved in the poultry committee and worked in the poultry section.
“I have also been junior vice president in the past,” Mr Kuhl said.
“For the poultry section I mostly do a lot of scheduling and paper work but I have also been secretary in the past and we are going to management meetings as well.”
He said he enjoyed animals and the poultry side of the committee while also enjoying the friendships he had made along the way.
“You do not start off by thinking you will be a part of the society for 50 years or more, but you just keep coming because you enjoy it,” Mr Kuhl said.
“The numbers are dwindling because everyone used to have chickens in their backyard but these days you cannot, so that makes it a bit hard.”
He said one of the main reasons he had stayed on the committee for so long was due to the friendships he had made but also the progress the society had made moving forward.
Mr Kuhl said he believed younger community members should sign up to volunteer at the show stating they would enjoy it once they started.
“Time is an issue for volunteers because we all live a quick and fast-paced lifestyle,” Mr Kuhl said.
“Being a part of the society has been good and some people used to think it was a secret society in the 70s which was funny.
“Certain parts of the show stay the same but you do have to evolve and stay useful because it is about the journey to become self-sustainable.”
Those wishing to volunteer for the Mount Gambier Agricultural and Horticulture Show Society can do so by calling the main office.
