By Mike Reeve, 2007.
Before opening the Show, I would like to share a few memories of past Brunswick Shows during the past 75 years. I was four years old when the first Show was held in October 1932. I’m not sure if I was there, but I can remember early Show Days, when the entire event was contained in what now seems like a very small paddock. In more recent times, this entire area is occupied by the side show industry.
Mike Reeve, President of the Brunswick Agricultural Society, 1966 & ‘67. Photo from Harvey History Online Collection.
These were depression years, when money was hard to earn, and living conditions for most people were very difficult. The Show Day attendance would only have been 200 or perhaps 300 people. All cattle and horses had to be driven or ridden along the roads. The exhibitors of flowers, vegetables, fruit, cooking, needlework, schoolwork and such like were all displayed in the Brunswick Town Hall. The Show Office was set up in the Memorial Hall facing the main street, with monthly Society meetings also held there.
Side Show Alley was very basic by today’s standards, with a merry-go-round, a chair-o-plane, hoopla, coconut shy, dart throwing for prizes, toys for sale, fairy floss, ice cream and brightly coloured hot dogs. Cool drinks were only available in bottles because cans had not been invented; but the homemade drinks made up from cordial were very popular. I can remember gaping at the Globe of Death, where one and sometimes two men on motorcycles would ride around and around inside a circular metal cage, and I never heard of an accident.
Blum’s Boxing Show always seemed to be there, where someone would stand on a platform beating a big drum and challenging local young men to spar with the visiting team. There always seemed to be someone in the crowd that would have a go, and would be given ten pounds for their trouble.
I can’t remember a Show without a bar of some sort, even though equipment has changed a lot over the many decades. In the early days all beer was in wooden barrels or kegs, which were chilled for many days in the cold rooms of the Milk Factory.
During the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s the main bar had a trench between the two counters, with a wooden decking across the top. The kegs were lined up in the trench first thing in the morning and covered with ice, so it was just a matter of moving the pipes from one keg to the next. The system worked quite well really. All beer was sold in glasses, which were simply dipped in a tub of water between customers, but at that time all beer contained 5% alcohol, so any bugs would be fairly well neutralized by the time you swallowed them!
There was usually a display of horsemanship by Light Horse men in uniform, and what made a huge impression on a five or six year old was the DRAUGHT HORSE DERBY, where these giant Shire and Clydesdale horses would gallop around this very tight arena, with loud encouragement from the crowd, making a noise like thunder every time they went past. WorkSafe officers would certainly get upset if anyone tried to do this nowadays.
Another big difference was that most men would wear a suit, tie and felt hat, while ladies wore hats and formal dresses. Slack suits were not accepted by ladies in those days.
1939 to 1946 were World War II years, with lots of young men and women overseas or involved with the war effort in Australia, so for several years no Show was organized, just a Show Ball at night, with the proceeds directed towards comforts for people in the war zones, or support for the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
Around 1945 there was an opportunity to enlarge the Show Ground, with the help of the Harvey Roads Board, so extra land was purchased, extending west across to what is now Vincent Street.
During the late 1940’s in an effort to have more of the Show activities on the actual Show Ground, three adjoining sheds were built on what is now Peters Park. These were constructed by busy bees, clad in second hand corrugated iron, and the generous help of Bob Harnett’s timber mill. They were used for Show exhibits and the official luncheon.
During the 1950’s there was a further enlargement to the Show Ground. This time to the south, to a boundary along George Avenue. This was considered necessary not only for Show activities, but to encourage sporting groups such as football, cricket and hockey.
By 1960 the need for more space for exhibits was apparent, so the Committee planned to start building a new pavilion. This prospect progressed in stages over a number of years and eventually became known as the TOM PEARSON PAVILION.
For many years Charlie Chapple ran the Chocolate Wheel. Photo from Harvey History Online Collection.
In 1966 Peters Creameries, through their manager Les Simm, expressed a wish to contribute something that would enhance the Show Ground in some way, such as the planting of a group of trees. This offer was readily accepted by the Show Committee, as it would not only improve the appearance of the area, but also provide welcome shade for people at any time of the year. In due course a selection of trees was provided and cared for by the company staff and ultimately became known as PETERS PARK.
With extra space available and Shows becoming bigger, the need for a Show Office on the ground became apparent, so in 1967 a disused building from the old State School was acquired and installed which very much improved the organization at Showtime. Two years later the Clifton Area School became redundant and arrangements were made to have this classroom moved to the Show Ground, where it was installed adjoining the existing Show Office. This addition provided a venue for meetings, certain social events and served as a President’s Room for Show Days.
During the 1980’s the BRUNSWICK LIONS CLUB in their quest for raising money, sought permission from the Agricultural Society to build a permanent Animal Nursery. This request was readily agreed to because such a feature is always an attraction for any Show. An appropriate brick fronted building was duly constructed and has been operating very successfully for more than 20 years
Immediately behind the nursery, another structure was added, this time to accommodate the poultry and pigeon section. During 1990 this was completed and has become known as the RIDLEY POULTRY PAVILION. This facility was most welcome, because for many years vandalism had made life difficult for this aspect of the Show.
In 1991, an opportunity became available to have a disused cattle selling complex at Albany transferred to the Brunswick Show Ground. In due course this move took place, the structure with all its tiered seating was re-erected and an adjacent set of stock yards with concrete floors were constructed to complement the system. The facility became known as the ALAN EVANS SELLING COMPLEX, and is in demand for special cattle sales at various times of the year.
An aspect of change was in 1996, when the Committee decided that it would be a great advantage to have the Show Office built into the PEARSON PAVILION, so that it would be alongside where most of the exhibits were displayed. This move did take place and subsequent Shows have confirmed what a great idea it had been.
After the Show Office success, thoughts about incorporating the President’s Room also into the big pavilion were considered and finally this also was done. Not only did this streamline the arrangement of Show Ground buildings, but it also meant that the two transportable classrooms would no longer be needed. Both of these have since been moved to other locations and are both being well cared for as private museums.
And so, Mr. President, it is with very great pleasure that I declare the 2007 Brunswick Junction Agricultural Show OPEN, with the sincere wish that the reputation and prestige of this Society can be maintained indefinitely.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
The first of the ticket selling units built by Society volunteers. Left to right – Bill Dowson, Ron Noakes, George Marsdon, Jack Shine and Vic Sales. Photo from Harvey History Online Collection.
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