The 2026 Kempsey Show once again brought our basketball community together alongside the broader Kempsey region for two fantastic days of celebration, connection and country spirit on 14–15 April.
Kempsey Basketball Association was proud to continue its long-standing tradition of supporting this iconic event, operating the show canteen as our major annual fundraiser. We thank the Kempsey Show Committee for the opportunity to raise funds for our Club at such a standout local event. We raised over $4000 profit. This will go towards our programs, making sure everyone has the chance to play, no matter their circumstance.
A True Community Effort
Running the canteen across two full days is no small undertaking. It requires detailed planning, coordination, long hours, and, most importantly, a dedicated team of volunteers. This year’s effort also included over 20 kilograms of baking ingredients and countless hours of preparation from our talented club bakers.
What stood out most was the incredible willingness of our community to step up. From early morning starts to late-night pack-down, our volunteers brought energy, humour and teamwork to every shift.
For KBA, the Show represents far more than a fundraiser. It reflects the values we strive to build through basketball: teamwork, resilience, and a genuine commitment to supporting one another.
On a personal note, the Kempsey Show holds deep significance. My family has been involved in this event for generations, with ancestors serving on the original Show Committee over a century ago. To now see our Association playing such a central role is a true privilege.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
We extend our sincere thanks to every volunteer who contributed to the success of this year’s canteen operation.
Our Bakers
Our baking team delivered an exceptional range of treats that were a standout success across the Show.
Thank you to: Jamie Roberts, Rosie Fatnowna, Ruth Borger, Meg Roberts, Patricia Silk, Belinda Smith, Carolyn Davis, Larteasha and Amity Griffen.
Special thanks also to Adriana, Amity, Khalily and Kwai’ofe for their work preparing the ever-popular caramel tarts, an enduring and popular favourite.
Our Canteen Youth Team
Our young volunteers were exceptional, demonstrating energy, initiative and professionalism well beyond their years.
Kyal Greenup-Smith led with humour and strong leadership, supported by Kwai'ofe, Amity, Sadie, Khalily, Nakayla, Robert, Carlos and Quade.
A special mention should go to Quade for stepping up on the grill alongside Coach Don.
Our Early Morning Sandwich Crew
Belinda and Rilien Smith, Kiralee Moseley, Kiana Enoch, Pauline Wilson and Rosie Fatnowna ensured a steady supply of fresh, high-quality sandwiches that were consistently praised by customers.
Our Grill Team
Misty Tighe, Donald Paterson, Quade Campbell, Kyal Greenup-Smith, Carolyn Davis and David Silicato worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep demand met: definitely no small feat during peak periods.
Special Acknowledgements
A special thank you to Belinda Smith and Anthony Griffen for leading an outstanding clean-up effort. Having the canteen spotless by 9am on Thursday morning allowed volunteers to return to their day jobs with minimal disruption - an exceptional result.
I would also like to thank Aunty Rhonda, Jamie Morris, Gordy Morris and Kyah Griffen, for stepping in when we were short volunteers – we could not have got through without you.
We also acknowledge Noel Cheers, our Treasurer, for his critical behind-the-scenes work managing payments, reporting and banking. This contribution is essential to the success of initiatives like this.
Every volunteer played an important role—whether serving customers, preparing food, managing stock or supporting operations. Your contribution directly supports the growth of basketball in Kempsey and strengthens our ability to deliver inclusive, high-quality programs.
More Than Just Fundraising
Participation in the Kempsey Show delivers significant benefits beyond fundraising. It enables KBA to:
- Strengthen connections with the broader community
- Increase awareness of our programs
- Provide meaningful opportunities for players, families and supporters to contribute
- Reinforce the importance of volunteering in grassroots sport
It also creates valuable opportunities to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new members into our community.
Looking Ahead
The success of this year’s canteen operation is something we are incredibly proud of. It highlights what can be achieved when our community comes together with a shared purpose.
Planning for the 2027 Kempsey Show is already underway. A dedicated Show Committee will be established in the coming months, and we warmly encourage anyone interested to get involved.
We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to support both our Association and the wider Kempsey community.
On behalf of Kempsey Basketball, thank you to every volunteer. Your contribution does not go unnoticed—our Association is stronger because of you.