Difficult To Track Down
No rain now for 12 days, when will this drought end.
Following a very wet spell, not an unprecedented amount of rain but no sun, leaving the paddocks as wet as I can recall. A tough time for livestock, one feels for our dairy farmers. Once again to a degree Bellingen has dodged the bullet, certainly if compared to further south, and even up north some time back.
In reference to a letter to the editor recently referring to the Darkwood Man. Having lived in Darkwood for 56years and been asking about, have still not been able to reveal the identity of this old bugger. If he is still poking about, I would love to meet him, having formed the opinion he must be a true gentleman, but maybe overly obsessed, with this work ethic thing, truth telling, welfare abuse, and the right to express one’s opinion.
Over to the construction of three major concrete bridges on Darkwood Road. What a marvellous job the boys are doing, struggling with the adversities, weather wise and the insane restrictions imposed by our armchair environmental idiots down south. The extra totally unnecessary costs will run into tens of thousands. What a shame this huge project also coincided with council’s major road upgrade. Yet to be explained.
Just been notified by our power provider, that rates from July 1st will be increasing by 12%, yes 12%. The dream of cheaper power via the billions in subsidies, paid for, by you and I, via this rush into renewable yet to be realised, and short of some miracle will remain a pipe dream for many decades.
Darcey Browning 66558539
A Letter to Our Community
Dear Bellingen Community,
First and foremost, on behalf of the Bellinger River Agricultural Society committee, I want to thank you for your overwhelming support and understanding regarding our difficult decision to cancel the 2025 Bellingen Show due to unsafe conditions from the extended rainfall that eventuated in flooding just a few days before Show weekend. While our hearts were heavy making this call, the safety of our community, volunteers, and visitors had to come first.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our incredible committee members who worked to prepare what would have been a fantastic Show. From planning exciting new attractions like the Agricultural Education Program to coordinating with over 100 volunteers, their dedication has been extraordinary. To all the volunteers who stepped forward to help—from those ready to cook meals, help set up the Showground and staff gates, to our competition stewards and judges—thank you. Your willingness to contribute to our community event has been heartwarming.
The Bellinger River Agricultural Society remains financially sound. While the cancellation of this year’s Show has resulted in financial loss, we are not facing insolvency. Our organisation has weathered challenges before and will continue to do so. However, what we desperately need now is something money cannot buy: people.
This is our community’s Show—put on by us, for us. The first Bellingen Agricultural Show was held in 1881, and while the Show hasn’t run every year due to floods, pandemics, and World Wars, it has continued to be a cornerstone community event for 144 years. The Bellingen Show has always been created by our community, for our community, and it belongs to all of us.
However, we now face our greatest challenge yet. For several years, we have been seeking new committee members to join our passionate but ageing volunteer team. Some of our dedicated committee members have served our community for decades and are ready to step back, but without new people willing to take on key roles, there simply will not be a Bellingen Show in 2026.
Without fresh faces and new energy stepping forward, our 144-year community tradition comes to an end.
We have so much already in place from our cancelled 2025 Show that is ready to be implemented for a fantastic 2026 event, but we need people willing to join our committee. All current committee members in key positions will stay to mentor new members into these roles, ensuring a smooth transition of knowledge and experience that has been built up over many years.
We are seeking people to fill the following positions: Trade Manager, Sponsorship Manager, Marketing & Publicity Manager, Luncheon Room Manager, Luncheon Room chef, Operations Manager, Chief Horse Steward, and President.
This is your Show, your community event. If you love the Bellingen Show and want to see it continue for future generations, please consider becoming part of our committee. Contact us at secretary@bellingenshow.com.au or 0498 483 915, or come along to our next committee meeting to be held on Wednesday 6 August at 5.30pm in the Luncheon Booth at the Showground. Light refreshments will follow the meeting.
The future of this cherished community tradition—created by our community, for our community—is in your hands.
With warm regards,
Susan Lumsdaine
President, Bellinger River Agricultural Society
Our wonderful Bellingen Show volunteers.