Warwick show boss bows out early

Dr John Kiss has stepped down as president of the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society.

By Jeremy Sollars

Former Warwick Show and Rodeo Society president Dr John Kiss has dispelled rumours that his recent resignation from the role was due to bad blood within the society and the board.
Dr Kiss confirmed to the Free Times this week that he had stepped down from the role, but denied suggestions that he had stormed out of a committee meeting held since last weekend’s 150th Warwick Show.
Dr Kiss said there had been no board meeting held since the show and his resignation was purely to allow incoming society president Gerard O’Leary – who is currently vice-president – time to ease into the role ahead of the Warwick Rodeo in October.
The society’s AGM is held in July and all positions will be declared vacant, with Dr Kiss describing Mr O’Leary’s move into the role as “an interim arrangement”.
“I had been planning to step down at the AGM in July but that’s very close to the rodeo and it’s not a good time to be handing over,” Dr Kiss said.
“I felt if I stepped down now as the incumbent it would be fairer for the incoming president, it’s as simple as that.
“To change the date of the AGM would require a change to the constitution and that’s very difficult.
“I think this sets a good precedent for the future.
“I didn’t walk out of a meeting, that is absolutely untrue – I did speak to the board members beforehand about my intention to step down.”
Dr Kiss said the next society board meeting would be held at the end of April.
His comments come as some locals have expressed disappointment with some aspects of the 150th Warwick Show, largely centred around a lack of entertainment and activities for younger children.
Dr Kiss said the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society had been in “dire financial straits” three years ago, with debts of around $400,000.
He said they had been working hard to reduce the debt which did mean making savings where possible.
“The debt is now down to around the $140,000 mark and next financial year I’d expect it would come down further to under $100,000, which is reasonably acceptable for this kind of organisation,” he said.
“We have been cutting costs wherever possible to reduce that debt.
“We have a very strong group of mainly retired men, mostly farmers, who work for free doing everything from fencing to pipe repairs.
“This has helped the situation significantly and we are very grateful to them as a society – it’s part of the reason we’ve been able to reduce the debt so quickly.”
Dr Kiss, who is a well-respected campdraft competitor, became society president in 2014 and has been involved in its events for more than 20 years.