CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr LLEW O'BRIEN (Wide Bay) (10:04): Two of the Gympie region's hardest workers and biggest advocates, Mal Dodt and Sean Connelly, have been given microphones and a licence to inform and entertain. Together, they are the brains trust—and I use that term loosely!—behind podcast The Gympie Grapevine, a one-stop shop for everything from upcoming events to the big important conversations on mental health, men's health and connecting people with the right support.
It's like your local noticeboard therapist and town crier, just with better sound quality and much dodgier dad jokes. I had the pleasure of joining Sean and Mal on episode 15, and I can confirm, between the local legends, the sports clubs, the community champions and the mighty Gympie Grippers Armwrestling Club, it's the most entertaining way to stay informed about what's happening in the region.
Mal is a relentless optimist, possibly powered entirely by community spirit, and he has built a 26,000-strong following celebrating Gympie and its past and present. As for Sean, if there's an award for helping people, either he has won it, he has been nominated for it or he's too busy volunteering and helping people to even notice it. Mal and Sean are both passionate about helping others, and, together, they're proof that the real treasure of Gympie is definitely its townspeople and, occasionally, their podcast.
Sharon and I had the pleasure of attending the Murgon show last weekend. Unfortunately, the show had to be postponed from its original date in March due to heavy rain and flooding. But, despite those challenges, the event was a tremendous success, showcasing the resilience and spirit of Murgon and surrounding communities.
The show featured a wide range of agricultural displays and entertainment, and, together with the Murgon rodeo, people celebrated local industry and tradition. One of the biggest challenges facing show societies today is a lack of volunteers. That's why it's so encouraging to see young people stepping up in the Murgon Show Society, particularly Josh Steinhardt, the 2026 show society president.
He continues to set a remarkable example. Having taken on the role at just 19 years old, Josh's dedication to agriculture and community service reflects the very heart of what these shows represent. I also congratulate Murgon showgirl Steph Simpson and rural show ambassador Matt McCauley, who were selected as the South Burnett Sub Chamber regional winners.
They are both exceptional representatives of Murgon and the wider region, and I wish them every success at the Ekka later this year.