Goondiwindi 1877-2020
The Goondiwindi Pastoral and Agricultural society showgrounds are situated on the northern edge of Goondiwindi. The inaugural Show was conducted in 1877 by the Macintyre Pastoral Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
The show was held on what is now known as riddles oval. During the Second World War the showground was moved to the centre of the existing racecourse, with the last show being conducted in this venue in 1949. In 1949, Mr Walter Gunn purchased the current showground from Mr Yeo who we think conducted a market garden on the site. Mr Gunn paid 2500 pounds for the purchase of the land. Part of this land was sold to the department of Civil Aviation for 1650 pounds. This sale left an area of approximately 121 acres.
Mr Donald Gunn, (Walter Gun’s father) was an early patron of the show society. The main arena of the showground is now known as the Walter Gunn Arena.
The Show went into recession in1950 and became a sports day which was held every New Year’s Day. The last New Year’s Day Sports Day was held in 1957. The rebirth of the current show was in 1958. Mr Dan McKerrow was the first president with Mr John Forsythe as his secretary and Mr Vorpagel as treasurer. The new show on the present ground was opened in 1958 by Sir Henry Abel Smith. The Goondiwindi Pastoral and Agricultural Society were incorporated on 24th February 1962.
Mr Jeff Cracknell started the Women’s Auxiliary in the 1960’s that form an important part of the organisation of the show. The Auxiliary organise and conduct sections such as Flowers, Cookery, Needlework, Knitting and Crochet, Collectors Corner and Handicraft. Margot’s Coffee Shop- run by the women’s Auxiliary is a very popular Alfresco Dining Area on the Show Ground. The igloo Pavilions are a unique feature of the showground and are used as the pavilions for the Art and Wool Sections. Mr Tom Woods donated a new Flower Pavilion to the Show Society in the early 1990’s. Prior to this the Flower section had been located in the Molly Makim Pavilion.
In the past the show has held events such as trotting and wood chopping which have not been seen at the Show in many years. The current Show stages Camp drafts, Ring Events, Show jumping, Stud Cattle, Merino Sheep, Wool, Yard Dogs, Poultry, Ute Shows as well as Pavilion Sections. Huge Fireworks are held on both Friday and Saturday evenings together with live music. Saturday night of the show sees a large crowd in attendance to watch the ever popular bull ride. Mrs Regg initiated the President’s Luncheon held during the Show. The venue for this was originally under the wilga tree- the current site of the new Wilga Bar. The President’s Luncheon instigated the first edition of the recipe book “Under the Wilga Tree” which was put together by Mrs Anne McColl- Wife of past President and Life Member Laird McColl. An updated version of the recipe book “2,4,6,8” was published in 2008.
Mr Ken Mackay (Life Member) is the current Patron of the Show Society. His late wife Judy OAM has trained, ridden and won hundreds of hack championships at many Shows. She has promoted dressage all over Australia and was selected as Australia’s very first Olympic Dressage representative in 1980.
Life members of the Goondiwindi Pastoral and Agricultural Society are Mrs Margot Armstrong, Mrs Alma Kohler, Mr Ken Mackay, Mr Doug Marquand, Mr Laird McColl, Mr Hugh McMillian, Mr John Thorn, Mr and Mrs Brian and Rosemary Sands, Mr Tony Woods, Mr Eddie Billing & Mr David Durkin. The current President is Mr Robert Mackay.
The Goondiwindi Show Continues to Grow in strength each year with a continued focus in getting the community involved. The Showground facility also continues to grow, with major infrastructure improvements continuing to be a priority.
Immediate Past President – Richard Doyle with Patron Ken Mackay