1883 - [THE BEGINNING]
The Legislative Assembly, on Friday 12 October 1883 dealt with, among other things, the erection of new post and telegraph offices at Mudgee, the dedication of Mudgee General Cemetery and the dedication of the Gulgong show ground.
Gulgong Showground, unknown year
Source: Barbara Gurney
The first show of the Gulgong Agricultural Association opened on the 17th instant auspiciously with beautiful weather. Its appearance had been scanned most anxiously for several days previously. The show was held in the Victoria Park, which is close to the town; it has an area of 10 acres, is well situated on a gentle slope, and admirably suited for a showground. The trustees of the park have built a very handsome and spacious two-story pavilion; the trustees of the association have 15 acres adjoining, which they hope to be able to fence in this year. The idea of the show was only started after the ploughing match, which was held on the 17th March; but it was eagerly taken up, a good working committee formed, and the 17th and 18th May fixed as the date. Special prizes were presented by Hudson Brothers, Griffiths Brothers, T. Robinson and Co. (of Melbourne), Hoffnung and Co., R. J. Black, M.L.A., J. Barry, G. Crossing, Mr. J. Davis, Mr. G. Jackson, and Mr. W. Duggan. The entries far exceeded all hopes, as there were 85 horses, whilst Mudgee last year had only 74. The prize for the best pair of plough horses was awarded to Michael Gleeson, but the other six exhibits in this class were so good that they were all highly commended. There were 15 entries for wheat and 27 for maize. The whole of exhibit of wheat was declared by the judges to be the best ever shown in the Mudgee district. The judging was very difficult, the samples being so good, but Mr. E. Webb, of Wilbertree, took the prize, his wheat weighing 66lb., Mr. Wm. Phipps being second with 64lb. The attendance was very good on both days. There was not a single hitch in the working of the show, and the judges, exhibitors, and visitors unanimously gave great praise to the committee and the secretary (Mr. S. T. Bishop) for the very creditable and methodical manner in which every detail had been carried out. The prizes were paid at noon on the second day. [Prize listings followed here.]
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 26 May 1888 Page 1104
1890 - ODDS AND ENDS
The annual meeting of the Gulgong Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held last week. A large number of members was enrolled. Mr. E. Rouse, of Biragambil, was elected president; Mr. C. R. Young, vice president ; Mr. John Tuxford, treasurer; and Mr. O. E. Plunkett, secretary.
Twelve were nominated for the committee. May 24 was appointed as the date of the annual show.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 1 Feb 1890 Page 16
1890 - The Gulgong Show.
Judging by the amount of real live interest taken by the Committee of the Gulgong Agricultural Society in their forthcoming show, the event should surpass any of the previous efforts. The schedule of prizes appears in another column, and our farming readers should lose no time in perusing the sections that most interest them. At a meeting held on Tuesday, Mr. Stear presiding, the final matters of detail were dealt with. A perusal of the list of judges shows that the Committee have been most fortunate in their selections they have quantity, quality, and competence. What more can they have?
Then another attraction is the event which should bring a whole brigade of peds. from the four corners. This portion of the show is in good hands, and must contribute to the 'hum.' And a horse leaping contest in this district has an all-round attraction. Even the ladies like it. The committee have been very successful in their special prizes, a whole host of which have been contributed.
Our Mudgee correspondent writes on January 17: —
A meeting of the Gulgong Agricultural Association was held at Gulgong, Mr. C. R. Young, vice-president, in the chair. Tenders were accepted for 22 rods of paling fence, and for gates for cattle yards. Mr. Tuxford's tender for leasing the ground for a year was accepted. Mr. T. H. Matthews was elected secretary at a fixed salary, and it was decided to erect sheep pens on a similar plan to that used in the Mudgee showground. The date of the next show will be the 17th and 18th March, 1891.
At a specia1 meeting of members of the Agricultural Association last night Mr C R Young (the vice-president) being chairman, it was resolved that the usual show be held next year. Great anxiety is expressed at the present low prices of wool which means a loss of thousands to the district.
The thermometer stood at 92 today. Serious apprehension is felt from the drought. There is not the slightest appearance of a change. Most of the town tanks are dry, and water has to be carted from a factory well two miles away.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 24 Nov 1894 Page 9 1897 - SHOW GROUND
1898 - GULGONG SHOW.Gulgong Agricultural and Pastoral Society has a fine site of 10 acres close to town, upon which are erected a commodious pavilion, luncheon room, bar, parade circle, and other convenient appointments. With the whole of its property clear of debt, and a credit balance of £100 in the bank, its financial position is very satisfactory. This state of affairs is largely attributed to the energetic efforts of the secretary, Mr C. E. Hilton, during whose term of office the society has consistently bettered its position. It has the very respectable total of 215 members; Mr R Rouse is President; and Mr C. R. Young, the commercial lion of the west, is hon. treasurer.
The Agricultural Show was opened today by Mr. C. R. Young, the president. There was a fair attendance, including a large number of visitors from Mudgee, Dubbo, Bathurst, and Orange. The Government prizes were won by —
Frederick Roth, first, best display of agricultural products, T. Page, second;
J. Taylor first, best wheat, John Snelson second, H. Snelson third.
James Cox first, best maize, Worth Brothers second.
Society's prizes:
Miss E. Roth, best collection of fruits;
L. Roth, best colonial red wine;
A. Roth, jun., best white wine;
E. Deane, single buggy;
J. Bax, sulky;
C. Hanson, spring cart;
James Gudgeon, village cart;
James Gudgeon, tipcart;
G. Bennett, farmer's waggon.
The dried fruit exhibit was greatly admired, and the fruit and flower displays were excellent.
The eighth annual exhibition of the Gulgong A. and P. Association was opened to-day, and was to continue until the 18th. The weather was fine but cool. The showground was in good condition, and has been improved by fencing, clearing, the erection of a pavilion for the exhibition of agricultural produce, &c, a refreshment pavilion, pens for cattle, sheep, and swine, and a parade ring for horses. The ground is situated conveniently to the town, and is well suited for the purpose. The exhibition has improved wonderfully since last year. On that occasion only 340 entries were booked, but this year the number has increased to over 700. This increase is largely due to the energy and perseverance of the secretary (Mr. Hilton) and the committee.
In the classes for blood and draught stallions the entries were few, though the animals shown were of average quality. Mares were better represented. In farmers' stock the entries were more numerous. Miscellaneous horses were fairly numerous, and among the number some very good hackneys, hunters, light harness horses, &c., were to be seen. Cattle was a rather weak section, though a few good Durhams, Herefords, and animals of a mixed type were present. Pigs were few, but of fairly good quality. Sheep were not very numerous, but among the number were a few very good rams and ewes. Poultry and dogs were fairly represented. Farm produce made a very good display, and the pavilion, taken as a whole, was well filled. The samples of maize, wheat, and barley were of good quality, while the hay, chaff, potatoes, and pumpkins were all good. Fruit made a very creditable display, and the samples of apples, pears, quinces, grapes, &c, were up to the average in quality. Dried fruits, of various kinds were on view, and, the condition of the various samples shown was very creditable to the exhibitors. Bottled fruits of various descriptions were also shown, and were well prepared.
Pot plants of various descriptions made a good show. The trophies of agricultural produce shown in competition for the Government prizes were up to the average in variety and quality. Some excellent samples of honey were shown, while home-made bread made a good display. Dairy produce, consisting of butter, bacon, &c, made a fair representation. A very good trophy of Gulgong flour was shown by Mr. C. R. Young, and a fine trophy of fresh food was shown by John Gillespie and Company. Ladies' needlework, works of art, and school exhibits made a good display, while saddlery and various other local manufactures made a prominent show.
Agricultural machinery and vehicles were a feature of the exhibition. Massey-Harris had a comprehensive collection of farm implements and machines, which attracted great attention. Lassetter and Company and M'Lean Brothers and Rigg were also well represented, while a local exhibitor (Mr. C. R. Young) had a fine display of vehicles, consisting of buggies, sulkies, spring carts, waggons, and drays by local makers and others, and the workmanship shown on some of them was excellent. The show was a very successful affair, and promises to increase in influence and attractiveness.
At 1.30 the president of the association, in a few well-chosen remarks, declared the show open.
[Prize listings followed here.]
GULGONG Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Ninth Exhibition. April 7 & 8. Commodious Enclosed Pavilion for Exhibits, Spacious Luncheon Room and Bar, Iron Roofed Building for Sheep, Poultry, Vehicles, &c, Inclined Siding for discharging and re-loading Agricultural Machinery. [Full details at source].
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 10 Mar 1899 Page 11The annual meeting of the Gulgong Agricultural Society was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening.
CORRESPONDENCE.
An apology was read from Judge Walker for non-attendance at the show. Mr. C. H. Barker wrote asking why the prize for fat sheep was awarded to Mr. Rouse, when the schedule stipulated that the prize was for the best exhibit of three fat sheep belonging to land-owners of less than 1280 acres.
The protest entered by J. Williardt against Mr. W. Hutchison's exhibit of a hereford heifer was considered, Mr. Williardt stating that the animal was over three years of ago. Mr. Hutchison refused to accept the prize till Mr. Williardt's protest was dealt with. After some discussion the committee decided that if Mr. Hutchison failed to prove the age of the animal in question the matter must be referred back to the judge, who must then decide which was the next best heifer.
A letter was received from Mr. D. K. Reid, baker of Mudgee, claiming prize for bread as his was the only exhibit complying with the rules of the schedule. As there was no judge to decide which was the best exhibit it was decided to divide the prize between the two exhibitors, viz., W. Smith, Gulgong, and D. K. Reid, Mudgee, giving each 10s.
A letter was received from Mr. Upton re prize for the best exhibit of 12 jars of jam. Mr. Upton's exhibit was undoubtedly the best, but he did not fulfil the requirements of the schedule, which stated that 12 jars must be exhibited. Mr. Upton only exhibited 6 jars.
Mr. Wilton stated that while he was in Bathurst he met Mr. Buckland, the owner of the famous trotting horse Fritz. This gentleman promised that if the show committee would prepare a good trotting track he would exhibit some of his best horses next year. Mr. Rouse moved and Mr. Croft seconded that the secretary be instructed to write to the ground committee concerning the probable cost of such a track. The motion was carried.
Dr. Kesteven moved and Mr. Tuxford seconded that in future shows the Society provide a special label for the wine section, all the bottles to be sealed alike so that the exhibits would be unknown to the judges. The motion was carried.
Moved by Mr. Dunn, seconded by Mr. Rouse, that double-furrow ploughs with handles and double furrow ploughs worked with governor steerage gears, also rotary disc ploughs be classed in different sections, as it was not fair to class an exhibit worth £40 with an exhibit worth perhaps £15. The motion was carried.
Mr. Coghlan stated that several small farmers were complaining that they could not compete against such men as Mr. Rouse and Mr. Cox. Mr. Rouse warmly remarked that the only prizes open to him and other large land-owners were special prizes.
On the motion of Mr. Tuxford it was decided that next year all exhibits of cob corn be shown in boxes, not less than fifty cobs in each case. Carried.
Moved by Mr. Dunn, seconded by Dr. Kesteven, that special prizes be awarded to the pot plants exhibited by Mrs. Riley and Miss Snelson. Carried.
Moved by Mr, Tuxford, seconded by Mr. Coghlan, that a bonus of £10 be given to Mr. Hilton for his services in connection with the show. Mr. Clark moved that the bonus be £16, which with the commission would bring the sum up to £20. The latter was carried.
Mr. Hilton thanked the committee, and stated he had always tried to do his duty, and in future he would strive to do more to improve their condition every year.
A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. C. R. Young, the President. Mr. L. Rouse, in supporting the motion, saying that the society would be very sorry to lose the services of their president, who had intended to resign, but he (Mr. Rouse) persuaded him not to do so. The motion was carried with acclamation. Mr. Young suitably replied.
Mr. Young proposed a vote of thanks to Members Tuxford and Coghlan for the energy they displayed in helping to make every thing go off alright at the late show. Carried with acclamation.
The balance-sheet, which was submitted to the meeting, showed a most satisfactory state of affairs. The income from all sources was £339 1s lld, the principal items being gate money £96 19s 3d, subscriptions £84 6s, donations £84 17s, while the entries brought in £45 8s 2d. There was moreover a sum of £63 4s 1d due by way of subsidy. The expenditure amounted to £265 7s 6d, including £169 8s 6d for prizes. The nett result of the operation was a profit of £74 0s 5d on the show.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 5 May 1899 Page 121904_____________________________________
First Prize, Bertha Campbell, 1904
Source: Libby Sills
Special Prize, Bertha Campbell, 1905
Source: Libby Sills
Marble Plaque
Source: Monuments Australia
The marble plaque commemorate Brother William Fletcher, member of the Lodge for 50 years and financial secretary for 17 years. He was also Grand Master of the Mudgee district. Mr Fletcher, who was 88, died in 1921 from injuries received in an accident at the Gulgong Show Pavilion. There is also an artistic certificate, presented by the Manchester Unity Friendly Society Independent Order of Oddfellows, to Brother Fletcher in 1912 in recognition of services rendered as the Grand Master of the Mudgee District.
Source: Monuments Australia
Mr. William Fletcher, of Gulgong, one of the oldest identities of the Mudgee district, died on Sunday. He was the father of Mr. J. R. Fletcher, of Rylstone, and had another son, William Fletcher, who served in the war. He is also survived by several daughters. The deceased met with an accident in the Gulgong show pavilion and sustained injuries which his advanced age made serious. All was done that could be, but without avail.
The end came on Sunday precipitated by a collapse. The deceased who was 88 spent the greater part of his long life on the mining fields of Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
THE secretary of the Gulgong Show Society (Mr. W. A. Saunders) received word today that his Excellency the Governor, Lord Wakehurst, will be pleased to officially open the Gulgong Show on Thursday, 13th March, and notes that half the nett proceeds are to be donated to patriotic funds. The advice states that Lady Wakehurst will be pleased to accompany the Governor on his visit.
Lord Wakehurst opening the Show, 1941
Working Bee at The Gulgong Showground, 1960s
Source: Margaret Meredith
Pictured: Phil Crossley, Bill Gossage, Josh Davis, Harry Rowles, Bob Gosper, Fred Ridout, Ken Ridout, Tom Cox
