AAS History - Beef Cattle Exhibits
Beef cattle exhibits began in the 1970s with Poll Hereford, Horned Hereford, Angus and Charolais classes. Brafords were introduced in 1979 and the schedule was expanded in the 1980s to include Brahmin, Murray Grey and Droughtmaster cattle.
The AAS Cattle Committee was formed in the 1980s and donations of $1000 from members enabled cattle to be bought, agisted on members’ properties and sold at market. Proceeds from the sale paid the bank interest on the new amenities block at the showground.
AAS History - Centenary
In 1988 the Alstonville Agricultural Society celebrated its centenary. The Centenary Committee was: O Johnston, J Allis, D Battesse, l Bennett, J Clark, K Colless, F Cook, F Crawford, J Curtin, K Curtin, W Davis, A Dillon, G Elliot, R Essery, S Fraser, K Gibson, M Goulding, K Gray, K Houlden, D Johnston, P Johnston, R Johnston, W Lake, R Lovett, J Marston, T Martin, S Miller, G Milson, D Patison, G Patison, G Robb, J Smith, L Smith, H Snow, N Volk, F Weiss, E Went.
A special guest at the Centenary Show was Mr Foreman Crawford, who at the age of 97, opened the Show. Mr Crawford said he had only missed three shows, and this was because they were held before he was born. His father was a member of the first Show Committee. Mr Crawford began exhibiting when he was 9 years old. He later became Chief Steward of the Pavilion classes and Vice President of the Alstonville Agricultural Society for many years.
AAS History - Community Activities
Since its establishment, the AAS has recognised its role in the community extended beyond conducting the annual Show. The Society has fostered a range of innovative community activities such as creating a Show Library in 1906, and holding a ‘Queen’ competition (won by Merle Riley) to raise money towards the Memorial Gates. A total of £450/8/6 was raised.
In the mid 1960s potatoes were grown and harvested by the Society, raising more than $13,000. Other ventures included buying and selling cattle and holding old-time dances for more than 50 years.
AAS History - Community Centre
The original agricultural display hall was replaced in 1981 with a Community Centre costing $650,000. The Community Centre was built after the AAS made a gift of about 1.5 acres to Ballina Shire Council. The new building was financed by the Council from sale of land at the Russelton Industrial Park and the Crawford Park residential subdivision. Alstonville Apex Club donated $10,000 to equip the Centre. The Society retains the rights to use the Centre during show week.
AAS History - Dairy Cattle Exhibits
Dairy cattle were a feature of the early shows, reflecting the strong dairy farming community around Alstonville. Initially, no dairy breeds were specified with exhibitors showing in combined classes; bulls were led with cows being judged in pens.
After 1900, classes for pure breed dairy cattle were included with Durhams (later Illawarras), Ayrshires, Jerseys and Holsteins. From 1905 Guernseys were added following their importation. Exhibitors achieved many successes, including setting records for producing 1000lb of commercial butterfat in one lactation such as Melba 7thof Darbalara in 1920.
Alstonville and district exhibitors contributed to intensive stud breeding programs and those like the Jerseys from Ellerdale Stud were rewarded locally as well as at the Royal Agricultural Society Show in Sydney. Red and roan cattle were shown at each show held during the centenary period to 1988, with a strong stud breeding presence in many district farms.
AAS History - Dog Exhibits
A championship dog show is held in conjunction with each Show. Records from 1933 indicate classes were held for Kelpies, Fox Terriers, Greyhounds, Cattle Dogs, Collies and classes for any other breed. In that year, prize money for each class was 2/6 (25 cents) and a ribbon.
The program has been expanded to reflect the changing dog ownership in the district. Classes for Toys, Sporting Terriers, Gun Dogs and Working Dogs have been included. The Working Dog Association has conducted classes where dogs herd cattle into a corral within a specified time limit.
AAS History - Goat Exhibits
Goats were featured for the first time in 1985 and again in 1986. Breeds on display included Saanen, Toggenburg, British Alpine an Anglo Nubian.
AAS History - Horse Exhibits
Horses have been a major part of the Show from the beginning. Many of the horses exhibited were ridden to the Show as they were the only means of travel for many competitors. The horses were then groomed and paraded for judging. In the early days, classes for Bloods, Draught, Farm horses and ponies were held, along with sulky and buggy events, ploughing competitions and even a class for cavalry horses. In 1904 a horse-shoeing competition was introduced. Campdrafting and harness racing events have also featured over the years.
Show jumping has been a popular event. In 1939 three horses, Joker, Ruken Lass and Disputed Plains, set a new high jumping record of 7 feet 3 inches (just under 2.21 metres) at the Show. The previous record was 7 feet 2 inches (just over 2.18 metres) made several years earlier by Sister Fitzgerald’s Silverwood.
Since the 1960s horse classes have expanded to include Paints, Pinto, Appaloosas, Palominos, Quarter Horses, Arabs, Anglo-Arabs and Stock Horses.
AAS History - Junior Farmers
The Show has fostered a close relationship with Junior Farmers (later Rural Youth) since 1933. The pavilion was made available in June each year to enable the Junior Farmers to conduct their inter-club competition. Clubs represented included Tregeagle, Bexhill, Marom Creek, Meerschaum Vale, Ballina, Dorroughby, Corndale, Goonellabah, Bangalow, Lismore and Alstonville.
Many exhibitors have showed with success in the open section of the Show and a number of former Junior Farmers have become members of the Alstonville Agricultural Society.
AAS History - Ladies' Auxiliary
The Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed in the mid-1920s to provide lunches for officials, patrons, visitors and exhibitors at the Show. They have contributed to fundraising via street stalls, providing supper at the old time dances, running BBQs at the Society’s cattle sales, selling raffle tickets, catering at the annual Show and conducting the Showgirl competition.
AAS History - Memorial Gates
Tintenbar Shire Council was always actively associated with the Society and in 1925 erected Memorial Gates to recognise Thomas Devrey and to perpetuate the memory of the district residents who served in the Great War. These Gates were officially opened on 20 March 1928 by Premier Bavin, and have been the setting for many Anzac services. In 1985 the plaques of names were transferred to a new memorial in Elizabeth Brown Park where district soldiers who gave their lives in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are also commemorated. The Gates remain a feature of the showground.
AAS History - Past Presidents
Past presidents of the AAS are:
Z Convery
S Stephens
R Wilson
T Rippon
Greg Gordon
Ken Gibson
Frank Weiss
Robert Johnston
Ossie Johnston
Lindsay Smith
George Mison
F O Daley
A I (Bert) Elliot
Moses Gray
Alex Cooke Jnr
Henry Gray
W W James
Alec Shaw
H V Green
J T Whipps
Hugh Daley
H A Robins
A H Hayward
Alex Cooke
G H Forman
T Devery
H Fredericks
J T Daley
Jas Whipps
P J Daley
Q A Johnston
Robert Gibson
AAS History - Pavilion Exhibits
Exhibits in the Pavilion have always been a major part of the Show. Fruit and vegetables, horticulture, cut flowers, cookery, arts and crafts, fancy work and school exhibits have featured. Pot plants, culinary, art and photographs have been included more recently.
A key contributor to the Pavilion Section was Wollongbar Farm. Clearing of Land for the Department of Agriculture’s Wollongbar Experimental Farm commenced in 1893, with the official opening in 1894. The farm exhibited strongly in several classes at the 1895 show with sugar cane varieties grown in 59 on-site plots. Apart from sugar cane, the farm had 75 varieties of plants including fodder and grain crops, vegetables and fruit trees, many of which were new to the colonies. In 1897 a large variety of produce grown at the farm was on display at the show. In 1899 the farm grew and exhibited wheat, oats, barley, rye, lucerne, maize, millet, potatoes, a wide range of vegetables, tea, coffee, sisal, hemp, sugarcane and fruit.
AAS History - Pig Exhibits
The pig section commenced around 1900 but was eventually discontinued in the mid-1940s. There were classes for Tamworths, Berkshires and Yorkshires. Later breeds exhibited included British Black, Essex, Middle Yorkshires, Large Yorkshires (Large Whites), Wessex Saddlebacks, Poland China, Duroc Jersey, Gloucester Old Spot and Canadian Berkshires. Prizes were also awarded for commercial classes such as pens of bacon pigs, porker pigs, and for sows with litters.
AAS History - Poultry Exhibits
AAS History - Secretaries
Alstonville was one of the first to have a female Agricultural Society secretary. Amy Laidman undertook this role from .......
Margaret Goulding, a later secretary, contributed to research and production of the Centenary Booklet published in 1988.
Previous Secretaries of the AAS are:
Dot Smith
Beatrice Gray
Robyn Johnston
Jodie Whitney
Ainslie Bootes
Margaret Goulding
N S De Vries
V G Skippen
Amy Laidman
H R Elvery
P J Daley
W Brandon
AAS History - Showgirls
2020
2019 Lorinda Gray
2018 Brooke Felsch
2017 Mel Chapman
2016 Chelsea Law
2015 Madeleine Gray
2014 Alyson Elliot
2013 Melanie Loomes
2012 Renee Jackson
2011 Rachel Bennett
2010 Jessica Lock
2009 Nikki Walsh
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004 Shannon Johnston
2003 Karen Hicks
2002 Lauren Whelan
2001 No competition
2000 Kelly Gibson
1999 Carlie Morgan
1998 Natalie Phippa
1997 Gaye Weis
1996 Leslie Bienke
1995 Natalie Silvester
1994 Donna Hampton
1993 Lenore Wood
1992 Alison Dunkley
1991 Deanne McElligot
1990 Nicki Mulligan
1989 Bronwyn Williams
1988 Elizabeth Bourke
1987 Suzanne Lynne
1986 Maryanne Curtin
1985 Donna Weis
1985 Lyn McDonald
1983 Christine Edstein
1982 Lynne Cook
1981 Karen Peterson
1980 Sharon Henry
AAS History - Showgrounds
Eight acres of land were purchased for £25 per acre from S T Northcott. As the township expanded, an additional 6 acres was purchased from Owen Cawley Snr. This area, with the addition of an acre of adjoining road reserve, increased the showground to 15 acres.
A pavilion, was erected in 1892 at a cost of £197 10s, and was the first building constructed on the showground. A grandstand was constructed in 1897 at a cost of £133. This amenity was a great asset, giving spectators a wonderful view of the grounds. Unfortunately, the grandstand was razed by fire in the 1930s and not replaced.
Other early improvements to the showground included ornamental trees purchased from the Gosford Nursery. In 1904 the boundary fence was replaced and in 1905 the show ring was enlarged. A special Act of Parliament was required to enable the road through the showground, which was an extension of High Street down to Green Street, to be closed.
AAS History - The Beginning
Mr W A Johnston called a meeting of interested farmers who met in his barn to consider forming an Agricultural Society in Alstonville. A further meeting was held at Bewer’s Pioneer Hotel on 29 May 1889. On 5 June 1889 a meeting at the Temperance Hall, elected office bearers and a committee. Robert Gibson was the inaugural president. W A Johnston and O Cawley were elected Vice Presidents, and W Brandon Secretary. Mr Perry MP was elected patron.
Other committee members were: C Bulwinkle, J Caley, W Cooke, T Coughran, W Crawford, T Daley, H Fredericks, H Gray, C Hetherington, G A Lewis, J Lindsay, C Lovegrove, E McCartney, J McLean, W J Newman, F Norris, J Perry MP, W C Renwick, R Robinson, J Simes, and W A Spratt.
When the society was formed, it was called the Alstonville and Richmond River Farmers’ Club and Agricultural and Horticulture Society, but the name was changed in 1897 to the Alstonville Agricultural Society.
AAS History - The First Show
Conducted on 5 and 6 February 1890, the first show was held with the Temperance Hall on Commercial Road as a pavilion, extended on the east side with an annexe for farm produce. Despite wet weather that marred the event, over 1000 people attended on the second day. Prize money totalled £140. There were 970 entries with 200 of these in the cattle section. The membership for the year was 170.