What I See with Peter Fiorenza: The case for change when GNFL grand final day and Chapman Valley Show clash

Community is important. And the way community works together is also important. This is especially so in smaller communities. Now, I’m not sure that you would consider Geraldton small, but being a local boy, I believe that despite how much the place has grown in my time, we all tend to have a vested interest. For instance, when the Catholic community holds an event, everyone goes, when the Grammar School puts on a production you make sure you have a ticket, or when the local water polo finals are on, a lot of us are keen to check it out. It’s just how we roll. So, when major community events clash, I am puzzled and also quite disappointed. This year, the Great Northern Football League has scheduled its grand finals on the very same day as the Chapman Valley Show. Go figure? The GNFL is the biggest sporting organisation in the Mid West, and has a huge supporter base, with club memberships in the thousands. In fact, the competition is so significant, you could say, almost everyone has some connection. Agricultural shows are part of the life blood of regional Australia, and Geraldton and the Mid West/Wheatbelt is certainly no exception. The Chapman Valley Show has been held for more than 100 years and has been part of our social fabric. Early September is a special time as famers and townies come together to put together a unique occasion, from sheep shearing exhibitions to cake and photographic competitions to the best-looking chook and sheep dog trials. There is a prize for the best fruit and veg, along with a sideshow alley and, of course, showbags galore. The show is a social gathering that gives all who attend a chance to catch up, have a laugh and create some fond memories. Both of these events are pretty big and successful patronage is vital to their very existence. You don’t need to be an expert in social demographic data to realise that both the show and the grand finals would be of great interest to a wide cross section of the public. But on September 2, people may have to decide which of these events they will attend — perhaps due to finances and the current cost of living as well as the timing clash. Like many, I want to go to both. I think it wouldn’t be hard for the GNFL to postpone their grand finals one day, to the Sunday. What do you reckon? Peter Fiorenza hosts Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA