By Heather Wade, 2024.
By the 1890s, with a growing population, the settlers in the Harvey district were banding together and organising public events. Ploughing matches were popular, providing an opportunity for men to demonstrate the skills they had acquired on the land, while at the same time allowing the women to leave their isolated homesteads and enjoy the company of others.
The first annual ploughing match was organised in 1898 by the Harvey Agricultural Alliance, with the Committee tasked ‘to make arrangements to hold a ploughing match at the Harvey during the season’. The Committee members were Messrs T Hayward, J Lowe, A Sheehan, G Guppy, P Ryan, Jas. Taylor and MW Clifton.[1]
In October 1898 the ploughing match took place on the Harvey Estate, managed at that time by William Ash. After the competition, the socialising continued at a banquet in the new Korijekup Hotel which had opened in August, followed by the first ball held in the nearly completed hall.
Unfortunately, in that first year there were few competitors, due to the unseasonably wet weather which led to poor ground conditions, although it was noted that the quality of workmanship was of a high standard.
The Judges were Messrs T Marriott, JH Logue and R Christison.
The results were:
Class A, Double furrow.—F. W. Edwards.
Class B, Double furrow.—O. Woodley (Anderson, ploughman).
Class A, Single furrow.—John Kelly 1 (also first prize for best crown and finish), T Ryan 2.
This competition was exceedingly close and the judges had considerable difficulty in making the award.
Oliver Plough.—There was only one entry and the prize was awarded to Mr Lowe who did
very creditable work.[2]
Committee of the First Ploughing Match, 1899. Back row: Mr Chaplin, Visitor, Mr Sheehan, Mr W Marriott, Mr Jim Kelly, Mr J Knowles, Mr Kelly, Mr J Logue, Mr P Ryan, Mr Lowe, Mr D Rudd, Mr D Edwards, Mr E Sharpe. Front: G Burrows, Joey Logue, W Reading, WE Ash, Mr F Kelly. Photo: Shire Album.[3]
The following advertisement shows the preparation required to organise the inaugural event – the rules for the participants and the entry fee for the all-important ball.
HARVEY DISTRICT PLOUGHING MATCH.
(Under the auspices of the Harvey Agricultural Alliance.)
The First Annual Ploughing Match will be held at
HARVEY, on FRIDAY, October 28, 1898.
Patron—Right Hon Sir John Forrest, P.C., K.C.M.G., M.L.A., etc.
President—Hon H. W. Venn, M.L.A.
Vice-Presidents—Hon W. Spencer, M.L.C., Hon E. McLarty, M.L.C., E. M. Clarke, Esq, J.P., Thos Hayward, Esq, J.P.
Committee—Messrs T. Hayward, junr, (Chairman), I. Lowe, P. Ryan, G. Guppy, A. Sheehan, J. E. Logue, G. Burrows.
Programme.
Class A, Champion Prize (Double-farrow ploughs).—First prize, £6; second prize, £2.
Class B, (Double Furrow Ploughs).—First prize, £5; second prize, £2; 3rd prize, £1.
Class A, (Single-furrow iron ploughs). First prize, £4; second prize, £2; 3rd prize, £1.
Class B, (Oliver Ploughs).—First prize, £4; second prize, £2; third prize, £1.
Class C, (Single-furrow iron ploughs) for youths under 19 years.—First prize, £2; second prize, £1 10s; third prize, £1.
Special prizes.—A prize of £1 is given by the W.A. General Produce Company for the best turn-out including horses in the Youths’ Single Furrow contest.
A prize of half-a-guinea will be given for the best crown, and half a-guinea for the best finish in Class A (single-farrow iron ploughs) also in Classes B.
With the exception of Class A champion prize all events open only to those who have never won a first prize at any advertised ploughing match. Three entries or no second prize will be awarded. Four entries or no third prize.
Rules.
- Competitors must start punctually at 10 a.m. No allowance of time will be made at the finish. All ploughing to be completed and ploughs to be drawn at 2.30 p.m. Every minute over time will be counted as against the competitor by the judges.
- No one except competitors to go inside the line of headland except to assist setting pegs.
- The area to be ploughed shall be for Double-furrows J of an acre. Single-furrow iron ploughs one-third of an acre. Oliver’s half an acre.
- The depth of ploughing shall be: For Doable-farrows, 4½ inches; Single-Farrow iron ploughs, 5 inches; Oliver’s, 6 inches.
- Competitors using Oliver ploughs must open out the crown as can be seen on the ground.
- Competitors will only be allowed one sight stick inside the line of headland.
- No protest will be entertained unless it be placed in writing in the hands of the Chairman or Secretary within half an hour after the judging is completed with a deposit of 10s to be forfeited to the Committee should they consider the grounds of the protest trivial.
Nominations for Class A Champion prize to be 7s 6d. All other nominations (except youths which are free) to be 5s.
Intending competitors are requested to send notice to the Secretary stating class on or before Tuesday, October 25th, 1898.
PLOUGHING MATCH BALL.
A Grand Ball will be held in the Agricultural Hall, on Ploughing Match night.
Tickets—Gentlemen, 3. Ladies, Is.
Dancing to commence at 8 p.m.
J. E. KNOWLES,
Hon Secretary.[4]
As was often the case in the days of early settlement, the social activities were written up in great detail with emphasis on the ladies’ attire and it was no exception for this milestone occasion in Harvey.
… All, especially the ladies, were on the tip-toe of expectation as to what the first Harvey ball would be like, and as a comparative stranger in the district who has seen many such gatherings I must confess that it was one of the most select and enjoyable I have ever attended and was unanimously pronounced to be an unqualified success.
This was greatly due to the indefatigable exertions of Messrs C. S. Palmer and K. Gibson of the committee, assisted by the ladies of the Harvey. The hall was tastefully decorated and the floor, which was planned for the occasion, was perhaps a little too slippery as several positions were involuntarily assumed. The piano was kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Alex Murray and the music was all that could be desired. The tasteful and fashionable costumes of the ladies were a surprise, and where all was charming it is invidious to particularise. I may mention a few of the dresses. Mrs Clifton, of Wokalup, wore black satin with pink trimmings, the Misses Clifton, blue and pink; Mrs Murray, white satin and old gold; Mrs J. Logue, white silk with spray of scarlet poppies; Mrs Hayward, pink and black; Mrs Marriott, blue and white ; Mrs Sutton, black and white, Mrs Beetson, claret satin blouse, cream Maltese lace and black skirt. Miss Crampton, pale blue cashmere and white roses; Miss Knowles, cream cashmere and white chiffon ; Miss Palmer, light blue and white net; Miss K. Logue, pink sateen and black lace; Miss J. Logue, cream cashmere; Miss Rose, white muslin with crimson trimming; Misses Smith, white blouses coloured skirts ; Miss Cooper, pink blouse black skirt; Miss Clarke pink and black; Miss Grant crushed strawberry silk velvet with steel trimmings: Miss Heppingstone, cream blouse white lace trimmings and black skirt; Miss Crampton (Brunswick) cream blouse black skirt and blue sash; Miss Fry, cream silk low body and black skirt; Miss Sutton cream cashmere yellow trimmings ; Mrs Beetson, pink nun’s veiling cream lace black velvet trimmings and, others who were unknown to me who looked equally charming. Mr Barnes was a most exemplary M.C., who was somewhat non-plussed however, when a visitor from between this and Bunbury requested his services and on being asked his name replied—” What’s that to do with you.” Refreshments were liberally supplied and presided over by Mr and Mrs Burrows.[5]
The ploughing matches at Harvey appear to have been short-lived with articles in the local paper only for the years 1898 and 1899.
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[1] Bunbury Herald, 9 June 1898, p. 3.
[2] Southern Times, 29 October 1898, p. 3.
[3] Although this was titled the ‘Committee of the First Ploughing Match, 1899’, I believe it is a photo of the many people who took part in the first ploughing match held in October 1898. (HW, editor)
[4] Southern Times, 22 October 1898, p. 5.
[5] Southern Times, 12 November 1898, p. 3.