Local

Volunteers praised as 135th Junee Show goes off with a bang

Published

2 days ago

October 27, 2025

THOUSANDS of showgoers streamed through the gates of the Junee Showgrounds on Saturday for the 135th annual Junee Show.

Sideshow Alley buzzed from the moment the gates swung open at 9am, as families, friends and familiar faces soaked up a full day of entertainment in warm spring conditions.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

From the shriek of rides to the sizzle of show food and the distant thump of the ring events, it was the soundtrack of “showtime” at its best — a vibrant celebration of community, colour, tradition and country charm.

Neighbours star and Junee’s own Majella Davies returned home to officially open the event, with Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and State Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joining the festivities.

Junee’s breakout television star Majella Davies officially opened the show | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Junee’s breakout television star Majella Davies officially opened the show | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Mr McCormack paid tribute to the volunteer army behind the show’s success, offering a special mention to long-serving MC David Eisenhauer, who has steered the program for more than 30 years.

“It’s been fantastic that this show has been going for so long, but it’s only because of the volunteers who put in all that hard effort over the years,” he said.

From left; Steph Cooke, Michael McCormack and President of the Junee Show Society, Peter Commens | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

David Eisenhauer | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Ms Cooke echoed her federal colleague’s praise for the volunteers.

“I’d like to congratulate and thank Peter and his committee,” she said.

“It takes so much effort, not just to put on a show like this each every year, but the work that goes in week in week out to maintaining this area which is crown land under management by volunteer committee.

“That is extraordinary and for that length of time. So thank you to everyone who is involved in that.”

Ms Cooke also commended the quality of this year’s exhibits in the pavilion, where competition was fierce.

“The flowers section and the pot plant section are the best I have seen of any show this season,” she said.

“Well done to everyone has put exhibits in the show this year.”

From left; Steph Cooke, Michael McCormack and President of the Junee Show Society, Peter Commens | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

One of the biggest cheers of the afternoon came during the highly anticipated Young Woman of the Year announcement, with Maddi Huard crowned the 2025 winner.

Ella Henderson was named runner-up, earning warm applause from the crowd.

Ella Henderson (left) with Maddie Huard (right) | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The celebrations began with the junior categories, recognising the next generation of community ambassadors.

Phoebe Armstrong was crowned Junee’s Junior Young Woman, Macey Hatch claimed the Intermediate Young Woman title, and Montana Butt was awarded Teenage Young Woman.

Phoebe Armstrong was crowned Junee’s Junior Young Woman | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Macey Hatch claimed the Intermediate Young Woman title | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

From left; Ella Henderson, Maddi Huard, Montana Butt, Macey Hatch, Phoebe Armstrong | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Applause echoed around the arena for each recipient, reaffirming the Show’s proud tradition of nurturing confidence, leadership and community spirit among local young women.

Winners of other crowd-pleasing categories were also announced, including Baby Boy and Baby Girl, Toddler Girl and Toddler Boy, as well as the ever-popular Miss Tiny Tott and Master Tiny Tott.

From left; Steph Cooke, Young Woman coordinator Eliza Turton, Ella Henderson, Maddi Huard, Montana Butt, Macey Hatch, Phoebe Armstrong, Michael McCormack, David Eisenhauer | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Across the grounds, the entertainment was non-stop.

Warm weather didn’t deter the crowds, who embraced every moment with sunhats, smiles and ice-cold drinks in hand.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Pet shows and duck races drew awes and laughter, while the dog high-jump impressed with airborne agility.

Bluey the mascot stole hearts and selfies, the animal nursery melted them, and the bushmen’s relay and gumboot throwing competition delivered pure country chaos.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Meanwhile, the ring ran hot with horse events, donkey shows, and harness racing into the afternoon, before live music carried the crowd through the evening.

As daylight faded, showbags rustled, fairy floss spun, and one last dash for hot chips and dagwood dogs was made before the grand finale.

At 8pm, the sky detonated in colour as a 10-minute fireworks spectacular erupted above Junee. Sponsored by ACT Fireworks, it was an unforgettable finale to a day rich in community spirit.

‘We always need more volunteers’

President of the Junee Show Society, Peter Commens, thanked the crowd, committee, sponsors and behind-the-scenes workers who made the event possible.

“I’d like to thank each and every one who came to our show,” Mr Commens said.

“Putting a show on like this takes a lot of money and we’re very, very fortunate that we have a lot of wonderful sponsors who come forward and donate funds to help us run it.”

He praised the hard-working committee and tremendous volunteers, but encouraged more locals to get involved.

“We’ve got a wonderful committee and tremendous volunteers, but we always need more. I’m not begging, but nearly begging — think about it. If you could just give us a couple of hours every year to help set up, run the show and come along and give us an hour or so to clean up.”

Mr Commens said the level of sponsorship for an event of this size was “absolutely wonderful”.

“I’m not going to say how much sponsorship we’ve got, but it’s not in the hundreds — it’s in the thousands.”

He also acknowledged the Society’s talented team working behind the scenes, and extended his thanks to local representatives, praising the advocacy of Mr McCormack and Ms Cooke.

“We’ve got a wonderful secretary and treasurer and a couple of really good vice-presidents,” he said.

“I need to acknowledge our two local politicians, Michael McCormack and Steph Cooke, for the amount of work they have done on our behalf behind the scenes to attract grant funding for the showground.”

Behind the scenes, hundreds of volunteer hours made the magic happen — from grounds preparation and judging, to ticketing, entertainment scheduling, pavilion dressing and everything in between.

Without these volunteers, there would be no Junee Show.

To each and every person who chipped in: thank you.

And to everyone who came, cheered, clapped, showed, rode, raced, ate, threw and tried their luck — we’ll see you again next year.

FEEDBACK WANTED: The Junee Show Society is seeking feedback to help shape the next show. Your feedback (be it good, bad, or brilliant) helps the committee make each show better than the last. Forward your feedback to juneeshowsociety@gmail.com, or send the committee a message on Facebook.