The Showground
Photo: Eternal Images
Many improvements have been made over the years to amenities at the Showground. This has been achieved through many volunteer hours, grant application approvals, financial assistance from showground users, and State, Federal and Local Government assistance.
Community Service personnel have helped with maintenance of the grounds and buildings in recent years.
Improvements have seen the installation of power in 2008, new yards, camp complex, toilet block and administration/bar building at the camp draft area. New horse stalls, toilet block, grand stand seating, fencing along the race track & new rodeo arena in front of the grandstand. In 2011 new rodeo chutes were put in place completing the rodeo arena with the support of generous sponsors and volunteer work.
A new luncheon pavilion was built with donations from Banoon Pastoral Company (owned by Col Lord) along with loans and grants from the Dept. of Lands & Water Conservation, opened in 2002 by Spencer (Mo) Witten and Bruce Harper. This building replaced the original luncheon booth that was demolished following the March 1998 show. Lockable storage area replaced what was the original bull stalls.
Tamworth Regional Council's heritage funding has also seen improvements to the pavilion in recent years.
Community Service personnel have helped with maintenance of the grounds and buildings in recent years.
Improvements have seen the installation of power in 2008, new yards, camp complex, toilet block and administration/bar building at the camp draft area. New horse stalls, toilet block, grand stand seating, fencing along the race track & new rodeo arena in front of the grandstand. In 2011 new rodeo chutes were put in place completing the rodeo arena with the support of generous sponsors and volunteer work.
A new luncheon pavilion was built with donations from Banoon Pastoral Company (owned by Col Lord) along with loans and grants from the Dept. of Lands & Water Conservation, opened in 2002 by Spencer (Mo) Witten and Bruce Harper. This building replaced the original luncheon booth that was demolished following the March 1998 show. Lockable storage area replaced what was the original bull stalls.
Tamworth Regional Council's heritage funding has also seen improvements to the pavilion in recent years.
Photo: Peter Dwyer
The Pavilion
One of the earliest buildings to be constructed at the showground is now used as the Arts & Crafts Pavilion. It can be seen in a 1904 photo. Over the years this building has had various uses. In minutes of the 1931 PA&H Association meeting it is noted that the Citizens Relief Committee had used the pavilion for an afternoon tea room at a recent carnival.
Many generations of children have slept in the pavilion during pony camps, a curtain divided boys from girls and Matron had a stretcher in the corner.
At show time this dusty old shed is transformed by many hours of cleaning to the wonderful display of produce, art, needlework, pottery, knitting, photography, cooking, jams and many other handicrafts. In the early years the pavilion was run by the Ladies Auxiliary, usually guided by the President’s wife. In the 1927 schedule Fine arts & Fancywork was referred to as the 'Ladies Section', there was also Fruit & Flowers & Miscellaneous. Entries were free if you were a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Exhibits in the fruit, vegetables and produce section depend on seasonal conditions and in 1958 this section included wheat, oats and hay as Barraba was then a big farming district. In 1931 the CWA decided to include a Use More Wool Exhibit and to donate prize money for this section.
In 1938 FC Asimus applied for space for a wine exhibit and for many years the home brew beer was very popular, especially with the judge. Also in 1938 Mr. J Garske said “he knew of a show case which could be purchased reasonably, and that it would be very suitable if placed in the pavilion for the purpose of housing cooking exhibits.” This glass front case remains in the pavilion as the cake display cabinet.
A major part of the display is provided by the local school students. Children from Barraba Central, St Josephs and the Barraba Preschool drag their parents into the pavilion to see their work exhibited. Other community groups such as Richardson House and Tangara also display their handicrafts. The pavilion building is now heritage listed and we hope it continues to be used by the people of Barraba for many years to come.
One of the earliest buildings to be constructed at the showground is now used as the Arts & Crafts Pavilion. It can be seen in a 1904 photo. Over the years this building has had various uses. In minutes of the 1931 PA&H Association meeting it is noted that the Citizens Relief Committee had used the pavilion for an afternoon tea room at a recent carnival.
Many generations of children have slept in the pavilion during pony camps, a curtain divided boys from girls and Matron had a stretcher in the corner.
At show time this dusty old shed is transformed by many hours of cleaning to the wonderful display of produce, art, needlework, pottery, knitting, photography, cooking, jams and many other handicrafts. In the early years the pavilion was run by the Ladies Auxiliary, usually guided by the President’s wife. In the 1927 schedule Fine arts & Fancywork was referred to as the 'Ladies Section', there was also Fruit & Flowers & Miscellaneous. Entries were free if you were a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Exhibits in the fruit, vegetables and produce section depend on seasonal conditions and in 1958 this section included wheat, oats and hay as Barraba was then a big farming district. In 1931 the CWA decided to include a Use More Wool Exhibit and to donate prize money for this section.
In 1938 FC Asimus applied for space for a wine exhibit and for many years the home brew beer was very popular, especially with the judge. Also in 1938 Mr. J Garske said “he knew of a show case which could be purchased reasonably, and that it would be very suitable if placed in the pavilion for the purpose of housing cooking exhibits.” This glass front case remains in the pavilion as the cake display cabinet.
A major part of the display is provided by the local school students. Children from Barraba Central, St Josephs and the Barraba Preschool drag their parents into the pavilion to see their work exhibited. Other community groups such as Richardson House and Tangara also display their handicrafts. The pavilion building is now heritage listed and we hope it continues to be used by the people of Barraba for many years to come.
Left: Early Grand stand
Right: Main exibition pavilion
