Our History
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the beginning
The Wimmera District Pastoral and Agricultural Society (later changed to Stawell & Wimmera P. & A. Society, then Stawell District P. & A. Society) was formed at a meeting held in the Commercial Hotel in Stawell on the 8th of May, 1869.
Landholders and businessmen from Stawell, Longerenong, Rupanyup, Banyena, Callawadda, Greens Creeek, Joel Joel, and Navarre were members of the original commmittee. Sir Samuel Wilson of Longerenong Station was the first President. After only twelve weeks preparation, the first Agricultural Show in the Wimmera was held in Stawell on Thursday, 19th of August, 1869. The first Show included sections for horses, sheep, cattle, pigs, and poultry. The agricultural sections included grain, fruit & vegetables, dairy produce, wine, and beer. There were also exhibits of agricultural machinery, mining appliances, coachbuilders' buggies, wagons, and drays. Following low attendance at the 1925 Show, the committee disbanded in 1926. The grandstand was moved to Central Park and is still used today. the reformation
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In 1963, after a gap of thirty-eight years, the Stawell Agricultural Society was reformed, with support from the Stawell Apex Club and the Stawell Rotary Club.
Cyril Smith was the first President. The first Stawell Agricultural Show was held on Friday the 11th of October, 1963, at Laidlaw Park. The 1963 Show featured classes for horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, birds, poultry and fleeces. Hall Classes included agricultural produce, vegetables, flowers, fancy work, cookery, butter and jams, CWA handcrafts, and pictures. After attending the Show, patrons were invited to stay on, have tea in the spacious Village Drive-In Cafe, and see the movie 'One-Eyed Jacks' starring Marlon Brando. |
Stawell Agricultural Society Inc.
ABN 60 237 359 675
Affiliated with Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd
Affiliated with E.F.A. Victorian Branch
Reg. No. A0006994H
ABN 60 237 359 675
Affiliated with Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd
Affiliated with E.F.A. Victorian Branch
Reg. No. A0006994H
© 2018 Stawell Agricultural Society Inc.