Maleny Show stalwart earns place in national cookbook

A familiar face of the Maleny Agricultural Show has earned national recognition, with long-time exhibitor Di Pratten featured in The New Blue Ribbon Cookbook.

Ms Pratten has been part of the Maleny Show for more than 30 years and is being celebrated for a journey that reflects the heart of the local event and the community behind it.

The Maleny Show Society said Ms Pratten had become part of the fabric of the Show through her “passion, creativity, and award-winning entries”.

Her involvement began in the dairy section, where she spent years competing before moving into the cooking section in 2010.

Since then, she has built a strong reputation in the pavilion, continuing to impress judges with her recipes, including her well-known Famous Savoury Scones.

The new cookbook, which officially launched in March 2026, celebrates agricultural shows across Australia and the people who help keep those traditions alive.

For Maleny, Ms Pratten’s inclusion is a point of pride and recognition for the volunteers, exhibitors and generations of families who have supported the Show over many years.

The book is written by Australian author Liz Harfull, who is known for telling the stories of the people and traditions behind the nation’s agricultural shows.

According to the Maleny Show Society, her work “celebrates the communities that bring these events to life”, making it a fitting publication to feature one of Maleny’s own.

• Copies of The New Blue Ribbon Cookbook are available in bookstores across Australia, and the Maleny Show Society is also encouraging people to pick up a copy at the 2026 Maleny Agricultural Show.