Bingara Pastoral and Agriculture Show

Written by Graham Wilson

On Saturday 5 April 1930, about fifty residents of Bingara and district attended a public meeting to form a P. and A. Association.  A Provisional Committee was appointed to enrol members and draw up a constitution.  In August, a committee was elected with H. Gordon Munro as president.  He held this position until his retirement in 1966.  Under the newly formed P. and A. Association, the first Bingara show took place in March 1931.  The Lands Department gazetted the site as the Bingara Showground, Racecourse and Public Recreation on 26 June 1931.

A special meeting of the Bingara Municipal Council was held on 27 August 1937 to consider ‘the advisability of obtaining an adequate water supply for the town’.  It was also decided to seek a grant for the provision of water, sewerage and a grandstand for the showground.  In July 1938, ₤600 was made available by the government for preliminary expenses in respect of the proposed water supply but the Council decided to apply for a further grant of ₤600.  A further special meeting held on Friday 8 October decided to accept the offer for the government to provide money for the three projects.  The cost was to involve ₤9500.  The P. and A. Association also supplied funds for erection of the grandstand.  Today the timber grandstand still stands.  The Gwydir Council undertook extensive repairs to the grandstand in November and December 2005.

Cliftons of Bingara installed electricity at the showground in the period 1937-1938.

Today, testimonial gates stand in honour of Hugh Gordon Munro for his many contributions to the development of this reserve.  H.G. Munro unveiled the plaque in December 1988.  A further plaque records the First Committee of the Bingara P. and A. Society from 1931 with Hugh H. Gordon as president and Life Member.  Thirty other names are listed.  

Photograph 12: Bingara Annual Show, Bingara Museum Photograph Collection

Photograph 13: Bingara Annual Show  featuring a large number of show animals, Bingara Museum Photograph Collection