Since
1878
1878
Crookwell A P & H Society Inc.
Copyright © 2007-2012 Crookwell AP & H Society Inc All Rights Reserved Design by Rick Cleland
In the years approaching 1878, there was a strong feeling among the farmers (Agriculturalists and Pastoralists) of the Crookwell district, that they really needed an opportunity to show the wider community the variety and quality of their produce. So a public meeting was called in August 1878 and as a consequence, the Crookwell P & A Association was formed. Annual membership fees were set at half a guinea. (10 shillings & sixpence = $1.05)
It was by no means the first P & A Society or Association in the country. The first was actually in Hobart in January 1822, just half a year after England had its first show in 1821. Quite a few shows were established more than a decade before Crookwell.
The inaugural Crookwell Show was held in 1879. A site was chosen in Roberts’ Paddock on what's known as Crookwell Heights. These days, that site is occupied by the Crookwell High School.
It was by no means the first P & A Society or Association in the country. The first was actually in Hobart in January 1822, just half a year after England had its first show in 1821. Quite a few shows were established more than a decade before Crookwell.
The inaugural Crookwell Show was held in 1879. A site was chosen in Roberts’ Paddock on what's known as Crookwell Heights. These days, that site is occupied by the Crookwell High School.
It is remarkable to be able present to you a photo taken on the day the first sod was turned to create the first Showground for the Crookwell P & A Association.
(Click image to enlarge)
(Click image to enlarge)
The show remained there for three years until the Government allocated a parcel of land on Kialla Rd, just south of where the hospital is. The property is known as Churchill’s. A pavilion was built but became too small to cater for all the shows needs. A new pavilion was planned over a five year period and built in 1900 and opened in time for the 1901 Show.
The Crookwell Horticultural Society was formed in 1894 and they held their first show at the Crookwell Skating Rink that same year. They then began to use the P & A Association's Showground and pavilion. When the New Pavilion was completed in 1900, it had a grandstand attached to the side that could seat two hundred people. Above the doorway was inscribed “Crookwell A P & H Society”. The “H” was an accidental error. However, it brought about the amalgamation of the two societies and the name was officially incorporated in 1902.
The society went from strength to strength and the Show was very popular, and attracted visitors from far and wide. Besides the Sheep, Cattle, Poultry and Horticultural exhibitions, events such as Equestrian and Wood Chopping were big attractions and the competition very fiercely contested. It became apparent that the showground and its facilities were becoming inadequate. It constituted a need to find a more suitable site.
“Graylands Orchard” of seventy four acres was purchased from Joseph Wray for Ł2,300 ($4,600). In the space of ten months, a team of volunteers dismantled all of the facilities at the Kialla Rd ground and reconstructed it at the current site. It included the pavilion, cattle yards, sheep pens and luncheon stall. New facilites included water reticulation, a jockey’s room, a special cloak room for ladies, a bandstand and publican’s booth. The Crookwell Racing and Trotting Club assisted in the formation of the track.
The grounds were completed in time for the “Jubilee Show” in 1927. That Jubilee Show holds a special place in the annals of the Society. It was held in conjunction with the “Back to Crookwell” festivities and was opened by the Governor of NSW, Sir Dudley de Chair. It attracted well above average entries in every event over the three days of the show.
John Keith, (one of the two riders in the above photo), who had attended almost all of the sixty-two shows, was made the first Patron of the Society at the 1939 Show.
*The above information has been sourced from "Upland Pastures - History of Crookwell District" by William A. Bayley 1950.
To see 4 images of old receipts dated 1901, 1902 and 1904 (2), click here.
The grounds were completed in time for the “Jubilee Show” in 1927. That Jubilee Show holds a special place in the annals of the Society. It was held in conjunction with the “Back to Crookwell” festivities and was opened by the Governor of NSW, Sir Dudley de Chair. It attracted well above average entries in every event over the three days of the show.
John Keith, (one of the two riders in the above photo), who had attended almost all of the sixty-two shows, was made the first Patron of the Society at the 1939 Show.
*The above information has been sourced from "Upland Pastures - History of Crookwell District" by William A. Bayley 1950.
To see 4 images of old receipts dated 1901, 1902 and 1904 (2), click here.
Wood Chopping 1912 Show
Wood Chopping 1913 Show
!st Day of 1906 Show. (Jack Keith and Ted Bray)
Early History