The Bellingen Show is under new leadership with a new president and many new committee members voted in during the Annual General Meeting last month.
Emily Kenny was elected President. Born and raised in Bellingen, some of Emily’s fondest memories are from the Bellingen Show.
“I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of the incredible people who laid the foundations of what our show is today. Inspired by their hard work and dedication, I’m excited to work with a passionate new committee to ensure our show continues to grow and thrive,” Emily said.
Emily recognises the special place the show has in the Bellingen community.
“It is more than just an event – it’s a cherished tradition that brings our community together, tells our region’s story, and showcases what makes us special.”
Emily currently works as School to Industry Liaison Officer with AgForce Queensland and is an Emerging Leader Program Coordinator forToowoomba Royal Show. She is keen to make agricultural education a centrepiece of the Bellingen Show.
“I believe it’s so important to keep the spirit of the Bellingen Show alive not just as a tradition, but as a platform to educate, inspire, and connect our community. By highlighting agriculture and local stories, we can empower the next generation to take pride in where they come from and where we’re headed.”
Emily replaces Susan Lumsdaine, who steered the show for the last three years through flooding, volunteer recruitment challenges, and significant operational changes with wisdom and determination.
She said Susan’s collaborative leadership style and commitment to the Bellingen community positioned the show strongly for the future. Susan was instrumental in attracting a large amount of new volunteers for the 2026 show who will be guided by several experienced members who remained on the committee.
Bellingen Show celebrates 145 years in 2026. It had to be cancelled last year due to flooding but promises to be back bigger and better next year.