About Us

Queensland Ag Shows

QCAS, known as Queensland Ag Shows, is a peak body for the Agricultural Show Societies in Queensland. We were set up with the aim to promote and protect the general interests of Show Societies so they can continue to put on safe events and increase community wellbeing. Today we offer a range of services, competitions, education and information to help Show Societies run thriving, well-resourced and well-governed Agricultural Shows.

About Agricultural Shows

Agricultural shows have played a leading role in the development of agriculture and communities since the first show was conducted in 1822 in Hobart. They are one of the oldest continuous events in post-colonial Australian society and are still popular in every state and territory with around 587 shows run annually in Australia.
 
In Queensland there are 127 Agricultural Show Societies run by more than 13,500 volunteers. They provide small local events with community populations of 300 or less, to large multi-day events such as the Ekka which attracts over 400,000 visitors every year. On average though, the shows are small to medium sized which are run by volunteers who govern their independent associations known as Show Societies.
 
Across Queensland the popularity of shows remains high as they continue to record 1.3 million visitors every year. 

Agricultural Show Societies

Volunteers

Annual Ekka visitors

Annual visitors state-wide

Social & Economic Benefits

Agricultural Shows have become multifaceted community events displaying a lively mix of competitions and demonstrations; displays of farming and commercial goods; arts and crafts; educational information; entertainment, sideshows and amusement rides.

Research has found that the social and economic benefits for Australia are significant, with at least $9.6 million dollars of economic benefits and a significant amount of social benefits due to volunteerism and the educational, competitive and cultural experiences they provide. The economic and social benefits are evident that the industry should continue to be supported and promoted.

 

 

Meet our Staff!

Trevor Beckingham OAM FCPA is our General Manager. Trevor trained as an accountant and is a Fellow of CPA Australia. He worked in his family motor parts wholesaling business as Company Secretary for close on 40 years. He served 20 years on CPA Australia Committees and Qld Divisional Council representing the interests of the Small Business Sector. He served as a member of the Qld Small Business Advisory Council advising the Minister for Small Business in Queensland for 10 years.

Trevor has spent 30 years as a sport administrator serving in Secretary and Treasurer roles and is a Life Member of :

  • Qld Olympic Council
  • Qld Commonwealth Games Assn
  • Qld Badminton Assn

He was Dairy Superintendent of the Royal Queensland Show and in fact led a raid that exposed an udder tampering scandal in 2004 which has led to much of the testing now carried out in this area.

Awarded an Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and in the 2013 Queens Birthday Honours List Trevor was awarded an OAM for his services to the community of Queensland through contributions to accountancy and business associations, to representative sport and to agriculture.

Trevor’s first love has been showing livestock and Shows which he has been doing for 46 years. He is a founding member and Secretary of the Qld Dairy Showcase and is currently a member of the Management Committee of Gatton Show Society.

Contact Trevor: [email protected]

Samantha Ackerman “Sam” is our Accounts and Membership Services Manager. Sam is here to assist you with any Membership, Invoicing, Affiliation, Insurance, RPS questions. Sam processes all Members Annual Returns and makes sure she is up to date with all the hard hitting questions involved in assisting the Show Socities.

Contact Sam: [email protected]

 

Storm Hanna is our Marketing, Competitions & Events Manager. Storm is here to assist you with any Competition questions. Storm handles our Advertising, Sponsorship, Social Media, processes all Sub Chamber, State & National Final events and assists committees with their competitions and Sponsorship. Feel free to give Storm a call for a chat she is always happy to help. 

Contact Storm: [email protected] 

About QCAS