The Showground Society said goodbye to another president this year, as Geoffrey Beath stood down from the position in a bid to encourage younger members to join the organisation. “I’m not walking away, I’m giving someone else a go”, said Geoff, suggesting that a lack of youth input has slowed down the success of the yearly Canowindra Show.
Geoff believes that younger generations are needed on the committee for the organisation to grow in sync with changing social demographics and modern technologies. He says that diversifying the Showground Society is essential to its development and would lead to a more successful show.
“The show is all about youth, and is all for the youth. The older generation are there to socialise; the kids are there to have fun,” said Geoff. “A different demographic comes in when you change leadership roles. Young people will bring modern ideas, an understanding of modern technology and more social involvement.”
Geoff has a long history with the Showground Society and the Canowindra show, after joining the committee as a young man in the early 1980’s. Geoff remembers back then as a younger contributor, there was a struggle against traditional values and objections from the older generation on the board. His experience tells him it is time for a change.
“The committee runs itself, it just needs people to steer it. It needs more attention in the lead up to the event, executive level decisions, and more guidance to bring it into the modern era. It needs a group of young people with ideas who are willing to work as a team.”
The reins have now been handed over to Sam Stranger as President of the Showground Society, but Geoff plans to remain involved. He is a Patron of the show and has many community roles. “I’ll always be involved with it,” he said, “but I’ve stepped back from decision making. I’ve had my go.”