12/08/2026
It’s a great privilege to provide the 2026 Wingham Beef Week President’s report.
I’m incredibly proud of what our Wingham Beef Week team have achieved over the past 12 months. I want to thank each of you deeply for your commitment and work in creating a successful Wingham Beef Week. Without your support, this event wouldn’t run, let alone be the success it is today.
Our 2026 event was truly a testament to the resilience and strength of our local communities, particularly on the back of widespread flooding in early 2025 and then a drier season. We again had over 500 students participating in the event this year and a great lineup of cattle from local producers and afar. Our event consistently shows the agricultural beating heart in our Mid Coast region and encourages students to consider careers across the agricultural sector.
I want to give a special mention to the Wingham High School students who again facilitated the Day at the Farm to support younger students in their agricultural journeys, which was then matched by a week at Wingham Showgrounds of new and old events (such as the steer shoot-out), a great lineup of education afternoon speakers and healthy competition showcasing the best of our industry.
The success of our event was championed by the attendance of our Federal Member, Alison Penfold MP for Lyne and by receiving a letter of support from the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Samantha Mostyn. I thank them greatly for their support and generosity towards our event.
We again put back into the local community, giving $1,000 to the Taree Showground recovery, replacing the main tearoom kitchen for the benefit of all showground users and raising $4,500.00 for the Latham family.
Our committee participated and ran local shows, worked in and with local schools to create change and showcased our industry across state and interstate shows. The momentum of what has been achieved over the past 12 months has been tremendous, and I’m so grateful for the connection this event brings for us all.
I must thank our incredible team of volunteers and event supporters. Your help is so appreciated! I want to thank our event sponsors for your contributions towards youth in agriculture and your backing of our event. I want to again acknowledge Wingham Beef Exports for their support and opening of the plant for our youth to learn, and I want to thank both Chris Black and Atsuhiko Chikuhama for attending this year. I also want to acknowledge Nola Pereira, who was named in the NSW Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.
As many of you are aware, we’ve also re-introduced a Springtime Heifer Competition, and I look forward to celebrating our maternal animals from across the district and afar. The show will take place at Taree Showgrounds between the 11th and 13th September.
Our 2027 event, the 40th year celebration of Wingham Beef Week, is locked in for the 17-21 May. Our committee has put forward $5,000 for the Grand Champion Carcase and thanks the Traditional Simmental Fleckvieh Society of Australia for coming on as the School Steer supplier again next year and also providing an additional $3,000 in prize money to support that competition. I look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the livestock industry across our region.
Joshua Gilbert
President 2026
Wingham Beef Week
