PRESIDENT’S SPEECH – AGM
In working with the Executive and wider Committee, I feel that together we have achieved a working relationship that is mostly, not always, transparent with open communications in order to make decisions and address issues that are in the best interests of the KV A&H Show community while respecting and honouring the heritage and traditions of the Show.
We achieved our aims in once again successfully bringing the community and communities together, posted some firsts, the weather behaved and the planets aligned.
We welcomed near on 3000 people through the gates who in turn stayed longer, spent more and drank more while on the grounds.. It was encouraging to see the number of young families attending our Show, as it is these people who are the future of the KV Show. The great atmosphere was once again enjoyed by all.
Our volunteers stood up and stood out as always and for that I and extremely grateful. That big community heart was on full display throughout the two-day event with terrific attendances, record entries, outstanding performances and heaps of good vibes. We are all volunteers and we rely heavily on your and their support. KV Show cannot function without them.
Beef cattle are a mainstay of the Valley and important to our community. As we know we were chasing our tails in the beef cattle arena, but hats-off to Brad Hawthorne and Sam Brewer for stepping up to the challenge..
We know financially our show, like many others is a tough gig and I would like to thank Janet Bundey for her professionalism while facing reality in taking care of our accounts. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the inroads we have made in other areas:-
- a review by most Chief Stewards of each section of the Show with an action plan for future shows;
- an executive meeting and an opportunity to raise/discuss/canvas various ideas at a top level for our Show;
- upgrading technologies that support our show, albeit with limited success;
- a review of the efficiencies / sustainability of how we operate in light of current practices and our current and emerging community members and the environment in which they, not just us, operate. A little later I will make another reference to the issue of sustainability;
- communication processes with our local and wider community, including KVPS, our stakeholders and addressing them accordingly. One size does not fit all as recent data has shown. Thank you Julie Ward for taking up the Communications and Community Engagement role.
- our Risk Assessment practices and disaster management, particularly preparedness and response. Thank you Bill Hyman.
- succession planning processes. We have started to look at ‘who comes next’, rather than ‘eck’, how are we going to fill that gap – Irene passing the baton onto Intan, Johnny giving Jamie control of the beer taps, Sue Williamson passing the camera to John Garrod, to mention but a few.
- a process for researching available grants for future improvements for our show/showgrounds. Thank you Kathy Harrington.
- a review into the usability of the rather expensive printed Schedule, now taking it online and only printing a smaller less expensive program magazine with the essentials for the two-days and improving exposure for our sponsors.
- updates of the KV Show website. Thank you Bruce Martin and others.
- a review of the Friday Public Holiday for the show. While we agreed to leave the Friday ‘as is’, we also agreed to review this matter each time we need to apply for such.
In one of my initial papers I raised the issue of sustainability as we look to the future. At the recent Group 5 meeting I raised the issue of sustainability of our shows and building of a strategic plan accordingly, highlighting the need to review the efficiencies of how we work individually and collectively in the environment in which we operate in order to protect the sustainability and operations of our Shows and our future? Such a list of issues, and by no means exhaustive, would include:
- financial
- resource/compliance processes (Mairi is investigating with Council and other Secretaries)
- environmental
- meteorological / climate change
- logistics
- Volunteers
The topic did get some traction and I along with some of the Presidents will meet to discuss and hopefully progress ideas and thoughts towards a possible plan in order for us to remain sustainable into the future. Being a small and very much a community ag show, the KV Show is very susceptible to issues as I have listed above plus others. We also want to get AgNSW to seriously look at this matter if, collectively, we are to have a reasonable future.
And while we reflect on what we have proudly achieved during 2023/24, I am also conscious as to future plans to consider and might include, but not limited to:
- review, revamp and update the Constitution;
- updating and / or rewriting procedures, policies and guidelines, including those under the guidance of Chief Stewards to ensure its smooth running into the future and for those who come after us;
- a plan to encourage our younger members of the community to get involved and better understand how a farming community works, how it relates to their lives and what it all means rather than ‘we get milk from their cows, meat from their cattle and poultry, etc,’ via supermarkets that is;
- upgrades to the Pavilion and best use.
- perhaps consider and think about and make a start (or perhaps an update) on collating, scanning and sorting our historical information and I’d also like to start recording the history and stories of our life members and their experiences that led them to take part in our show and why they stuck around.
And so to the thanks. While I have already thanked some colleagues above, they are indeed many others. Committee and life members always deserve more recognition than can be expressed here, for without you this society would not exist. While we look to the future, we also reflect on the past and the experience in this room is acknowledged.
As the 2023/2024 year draws to a close and we look towards 2024/25 as we are already, I again thank all those members, committee and executive members who make the KV Show possible and look forward to working with everyone in the future to make our show shine.
Stephen Wilson