Talks were held last week in a bid to bring motocross action and the Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club back to the annual Millicent Show each November.
Staged over Friday and Saturday, the competition had been a highlight of each Millicent Show for almost 30 years and attracted hundreds of competitors from as far away as Warrnambool.
However, insurance-related issues have grounded the motorbikes since they last raced at Millicent in 2021.
A representative from The SE Voice raised the motorbikes issue when the Millicent Show Society held its annual general meeting at the showgrounds on Monday night.
Society president Brett Keatley said last week’s talks made him feel hopeful about the possible return of competition to Millicent in 2025.
According to Mr Keatley, the current track at Millicent did not meet the specifications and needed to be modified.
He said grants may be available to meet the cost of this work.
Reflecting on the 2024 show, Mr Keatley regretted the cancellation of the Demo Derby but said patrons appreciated such attractions as the fireworks, shearing, ride-on lawn mower racing and horses in action.
He said the food court, trade sites and Vera’s Kitchen were popular.
“It came in cold on the Friday night and this affected the gate takings,” Mr Keatley said.
As well as the annual show, Mr Keatley described such year-round income earning activities as the monthly markets and the Recreational Vehicle Park.
“The Millicent Show Society appreciated the members of the Millicent Lions Club and Vestas windfarm employees for donating their time in such tasks as erecting the new maintenance shed,” he said.
“We hosted the annual general meeting of the South East and Border Show Societies and took over the general meeting running of the Youth Hall after this group ended.
“After a break of a few years, the Carols in the Shearing Shed returned and was a successful night.”
The audited annual balance sheet of the Millicent Show Society was marked “confidential” and “members only”.
Show Society treasurer Sally Fennell said the regulations which covered the financial reporting obligations of such not-for-profit groups only required them to submit a profit and loss statement to the authorities.
Ms Fennell said $10,000 was spent on capital improvements and a profit of $5003 was made.
The annual membership fee will remain at $20 as a number of members said cost of living expenses were rising.
Life membership was awarded to Kathleen and Bevan Staude whose involvement with the Millicent Show dates back to 1971.
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll assumed the chair for the election of officers.
He thanked the committee and volunteers for putting on an excellent show in 2024.
All officers were filled and went unchallenged with one exception.
Long-serving publicity officer Helen Cranage stepped down from the role citing other commitments.
However, Ms Cranage will continue as the convenor of the Unique Vehicle Display.
Her successor is Georgy Beighton who works locally in the cattle industry and is a social media manager.
Furthermore, Ms Beighton will assist in the staging of a heifer competition.
Invitations will be made to a number of local residents to be patrons of the Millicent Show Society.
