Gwydir Pastoral & Agriculture Show (Warialda)

Written by Graham Wilson

The first Gwydir Pastoral and Agricultural (P. and A.) Show took place in Warialda on 7 February 1873.  Although isolated, the Town and Country Journal reported that ‘the quiet township bore a holiday appearance to all intents and purposes’.  The next one was held at Moree but then the Association lapsed.  It was not until 1889 that the Show Committee was reformed following a public meeting organised by James Scott.

Following a number of further public meetings, the newly formed Warialda Pastoral and Agricultural Association held its first show on 13 and 14 May 1890.  The show was held for the next few years until drought led to its cancellation in 1899, 1902 and 1903.

In December 1907 the editor of the Warialda Standard expressed concern about the distance of the show ground to the town.  A meeting was planned for Saturday 23 December for the matter to be considered however the suggestion was rejected.  Again by March 1911 the editor of the Warialda Standard reported on the move by a number of business people to have the showground moved onto part of the Recreation Ground.  It was stated ‘the advantages of having the showground in the town are numerous’.

During the World War One years 1914 to 1918, the show was suspended and the first post war show was not held until 1927.  By that stage the buildings were in disrepair and a move emerged to move the showground closer to the town.  Opposition arose and a canvass was made of the district to consider whether the showground should be moved.  A sub committee was formed in April 1932 to consider a possible move.  The P. and A. Committee recommended a move from the racecourse and in June it was moved that the Minister for Lands should be asked to transfer part of the recreation ground for a new showground. 

Once the move was made then the committee carried out a number of improvements.  Volunteers cleared the site whilst the main and sheep pavilions were removed by contract.  In June 1932 secretary C.S. Pyrke called tenders for demolishing the main pavilion, sheep pavilion and pens, fowl pavilion, refreshment building and building anew publican’s booth.107  Mr Lightfoot moved the main pavilion, the sheep pavilion, refreshment rooms and three lavatories.  In August further tenders were called for further construction work at the showground. Volunteers removed all other fixtures.108  That month, members of the Progress Association planted a number of trees in the showground.  Thirteen Carolina poplars were planted along the southern boundary and nine plane trees around the ring.  A further eleven were to be planted round the ring and marshalling yards.  Two Carolina poplars were also planted in Long Street.

In October 1932 tenders were called for removal of the building used as a caretaker’s residence at the showground. A working bee erected seating accommodation around the ring in February 1933. Attorney General Manning opened the show on the new ground on Thursday 23 March 1933.

By January 1934, the Improvement Committee had accepted various tenders for some improvements at the new ground to cost ₤80.  These included erection of a secretary’s office, extension of a poultry house, erection of an additional ladies toilet, improvements to the pavilion and construction of dog kennels.  The amount quoted did not include cost of the Secretary’s office that was to be paid by R. Mackay.

Tenders were called for the erection of a luncheon room on the showground in January 1935 and a working bee moved all the horse-stalls to a more suitable position on the western side of the showground in February 1938.  A further working bee planted a dozen well grown Kurrajong trees in the grounds in August 1939.  The secretary L. Rolfe called fresh tenders for construction of a cattle pavilion on the showground in October 1946. 

It was after the 1936 show that discussion took place concerning the erection of a wool pavilion.  Arrangements were made to borrow ₤100 from the bank to build a 16ft by 12 ft construction between the Main Pavilion and Publican’s Booth.  Long-term supporter of the show Ronald Mackay died at the family home ‘Ithaca’, Burwood on Monday 9 November 1936.  The Directors of Raocwell and Gunyerwarildi Pastoral Company decided that they would like to make some public tribute to recognise the generosity of Ronald Mackay.  A J. Webb offered ₤150 to cover the cost of the building provided it was named in Ronald Mackay’s honour.  In 1937 the Show Committee accepted a tender from Blair and Wisken to erect the wool pavilion.

The Warialda Jubilee 50th show was held on 8 and 9 May 1938.

By March 1947 a newly erected cattle pavilion was completed.  The design of the pavilion, which was erected on the northern side of the ground, provided accommodation for four rows of cattle with individual feed boxes and abundant space.  Memorial Gates and half the ring fence were completed in 1963 and that year, the Fat Cattle yards were started with approximately 10 pens.