SHOW LOGO
 

2011
MAY 10 & 11
130th YEAR
HALL THEME
OUR GALAXY
(UNIVERSE)




Home page
show schedules
entry froms all classes
photos some champions
Show history
showgirl photos
major show sponsors
link to alpacas







You Beaut ute muster button
links to other like sites
contact us button

 

 
SHOW HISTORY CONTINUED;
Maize came to excellence and continued to be the primary industry in the valley. Competition was pretty keen and the names of P Gersbach, B Davey, T Davey, E Kesby, W Secomb and the Jeffery brothers were prominent prize-winners. Corn husking competitions were also popular.

Showgoers in 1902 watched as a two-year drought broke on the opening day. In 1904, Show Draught horses were still prominent and Wood-chopping became an interesting feature. Records reveal that 1906 was regarded as one of the best Shows - that year J Gamack and C W Farrell were Beef cattle winners. In 1907 Concerts were held in the Hall. Experimental plots for farmers were introduced. The Show continued through the First World War years.

During 1927-1928, a larger ring was completed - the grandstand, kiosk, Bandstand & poultry pavilions were moved to other sites.

In 1931, the M H A & I Association held its Jubilee Show on 15th, 16th and 17th April, even though there was a depression again. James A Jeffery was President and there was a 36-men’s committee and 43-ladies’ committee!! A well-known High Jumping Horse, “Disputed Plains” was expected and held the record of 7’3”!!. The NSW Governor Sir Philip Game GBE GCB DSO opened the Show - [after he’d finished his well-presented speech, he sat down again and had to be reminded by the President to Officially Open the Show!!]

Many more horse classes are represented but the draughts are few.
Records reveal Cattle, Poultry and caged birds were well represented with Fruit classes not so high in number. Banana packing and Dogs were new features. A Rain Insurance Policy for 1000 was taken out. There was also a District Agricultural Exhibit and a Group from Austral Eden won with 484 pts over a group from Temagog-Turners Flat with 420 pts.

Although we’ve all known our Show as “The Kempsey Show”, the name of the Macleay A H & I Association was changed and the Central North Coast National Agricultural Society Pty Ltd was inaugurated in 1935. The Show held on Wed 27th March to Sat 30th March that year was almost disastrous but ended up being successful. There were classes in the Horse Section offered for Cavalry, Artillery and Spring Cart Horses. The Show was opened by the Hon B S B Stevens, Premier of NSW.

 

In the records, there is also mention of “Smoke Socials” being held at the time of some of the earlier Shows. It seems that Dignitaries, Judges, Committee Members and Visiting Guests were all invited to these functions. The formalities included Speeches by the President, certain Committee Members and the person who opened the Show. This was also followed by presentations to the Judges, Stewards and Committee Members etc.

In 1940 there was evidence of the 2nd World War disturbance but the Show was still held on Wed-Sat, 3rd-6th April. Sir Alfred Davidson, General Manager of the Bank of NSW opened the Show this year - gate takings were £728/2/6 - ($1456.25).

On Wed-Fri 20th-22nd April 1950, Mr R B Gamack, President, lead the Show Committee to hold the Show even though the rainy weather was threatening. The Show was opened by Hon Colin Sinclair, Pres of RAS, Sydney in “driving rain!

There were Pony Hunters that year with jumps no higher than 3’6” - a couple of novelty events were a Cigarette Race and a Motor Cycle Flag Race!!

In spite of Economic and Climatic conditions changing, Committee Members, (past and present), have worked hard in order to keep the Show an annual event. This is not only proof of the Show’s importance in the lives of the people the Show serves, but a tribute to the rich productivity of the district.

In 1955, at a cost of £3000 ($6000) the main Ring was enlarged; and would now comfortably accommodate a football field. The Show that year was held Tues-Thurs 19th-21st April with Prizemoney of £3000 ($6000) - The novelty events were a Footballer’s Foot Race and a Wild Bull Chariot Race!!” The Minister for Lands, Hon F H Hawkins was invited to open the Show and like many others [who’ve been invited], was very impressed with what he saw.

Other factors which have affected the Show in the past, have been - The 2nd World War, the 1949, 1950, 1963, 1989 and 2001 Floods plus Droughts in 1965 and 1994. During the 1980’s, the Grandstand was burnt down which was a big blow to the Show Society Members and the Community as a whole.


Click here to continue history

 

 
home | schedules | entryforms | champions |history | showgirls | sponsors | utes | links | contact us
Site last updated |April 22, 2011