Community & Business
24 May, 2021
Allora Community Auction Postponed
The Allora Show Society has taken a significant step in postponing their famous annual auction until the October long weekend.
Formerly the Allora Apex Auction, it has been a landmark event with its own special character since its inception over two decades back. The now defunct Allora Apex Club introduced the auction to the Allora and Southern Downs event schedule before it was passed on to the Allora Show Society.
New Allora Show Society President Glyn Rees, who was appointed after the recent resignation of former organization President, said “the Allora Annual Auction is among a number of events dear to the hearts of the Allora and Southern Downs community, also including the Allora Annual Show, the Allora Campdraft and the Allora Heritage Weekend.”
The decision by the Show Society Management committee certainly wasn’t taken lightly according to Mr Rees. “At a time where there appears to be a number of infl uencing factors, it was considered the best action to take.” The Auction enjoyed the three-day Queen’s Birthday long weekend for many years, and while it’s not all that necessary, the three-day long weekend in October will be advantageous to organization and enhancing the event.
Mr Rees said “while some sectors of the local community disagreed with the postponement, there were many that felt it was a “wise” or “good” decision.”
“It’s our responsibility to ensure the safety of our volunteers and the general public on the Showgrounds and currently there is major construction of a near 2,800 m2 under cover area that won’t be completed before the Auction date.” A move to October will see the under-cover area completed and the grounds recovered serving to enhance the Showgrounds facility for the Auction.
A postponement will also allay concerns about the availability of volunteers needed to run an event the size of the Auction. A recent Show Society auction workshop saw plenty of enthusiasm for the event which was to take place in just under four weeks, but concern remained about volunteers on the ground in the lead up to and at the event. “The enthusiasm is more than commendable, but there are other factors that were considered and had to be considered at length.” Mr Rees said the Showgrounds had an enviable record hosting events of all sizes over many years and the postponement decision will ensure that standard is maintained.
In recent weeks the Allora Showgrounds along with Show Society and community group volunteers have hosted the Working Kelpie Council National Kelpie Field trials and this past weekend the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service charity bike ride – Bike 4 Burns, a charity bike ride that raises funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Among numerous other events using the Showgrounds locals around the Southern Downs are looking forward to the Queensland Historic Motorcycle Association’s Frostbite Rally on the weekend of July 10th & 11th, a former regular Allora Showgrounds event that returns to the Best Little Town on the Downs.
