Continuing a mountain legacy

Vanessa Bull
Vanessa Bull

WHEN the Tamborine Mountian Country Fair takes place this year, Vanessa Bull be upholding a promise she made only a year before.

“I sat with Anne Hoitink just before she passed, as did Treasurer Stuart Wright, and we promised that we would continue the work of the Show Society and look after the Showgrounds,” said Vanessa.

“She also wanted us to be mindful to keep it a beautiful place and that is what we are trying to do.” 

Anne gave 32 years of her life to the organisation, including 20 years on the committee and her passing on March 21, 2024 devastated those close to her.

Since then, they have worked hard to continue the legacy Anne left, most recently undertaking works at the showgrounds to increase the amenity for events such as small weddings. 

“We can’t have a wedding here when there is anything else happening, markets and the Bushrats home games, so we will be promoting it from September to March and will make sure that wedding parties have the grounds to themselves.

“We don’t want to compete with the wedding venues here, but this is for the smaller, more budget conscious weddings.”

“We feel if we have the venue here – toilets, a ramp for disabled access, the gazebo where they can have the ceremony – we should utilise it to gain income to maintain and improve the grounds.”

A show with a difference

While this year’s Tamborine Mountain Show will retain many popular competitions including cooking, craft and horticulture, the theme will be disaster preparedness.

Following on from the Tamborine Mountain Community Preparation Event held at the Tamborine Mountain Sportsground in November last year, there will be the opportunity for local residents to gain practical advice on preparing for a disaster, including fixing and checking generators and chainsaws and demonstrations by emergency services.

“The mountain is different because we are so close to the Gold Coast and go to a lot of things there, so we are trying to offer different things at the show and make it more like a country fair.”

Some of the competitions have become unique to the mountain show: the pet parade, children’s colouring competition and talent show as well as live music performances by local musicians.

It is a legacy that began in 1929 at Zamia Theatre, continued by volunteers at the showgrounds, and something Vanessa and her team are proud to continue.

About Keer Moriarty 41 Articles
Editor, journo, social media manager and tea lady with Canungra Times.