The show must go on

Dedicated volunteers have spent months carefully sorting through decades of treasured memorabilia to piece together the extraordinary story of one of the region's most cherished community events.

Historical society volunteer Bev Greeney said the project was an opportunity to preserve the show’s past and make it accessible to the community.

“From our point of view, a historical point of view, it’s important we preserve all of this,” she said.

“From its initial beginnings and its time through the wars and depressions, and how it nearly closed and then how it’s been revived again.

“Keeping all of these records, so future generations can learn about it.”

The exhibition will feature old trophies, ribbons, show programs, photographs, paper awards and other memorabilia, with some programs dating back to 1938.

Among the most exciting recent discoveries are three showgirl sashes belonging to netball legend and former Australian Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon, a two-time World Cup winner.

Her family supplied the sashes, along with photographs of McMahon winning as a teenager in 1988 and 1989.

The show’s story is one of extraordinary resilience ― weathering the upheaval of war and economic depression, enduring a 19-year closure before determinedly restarting in 1933, and eventually settling into its permanent home at the current showground in 1954.

Ms Greeney said looking back through the records had revealed how much the event had changed over time.

“We learn things as we go along, and make connections to things and people in the present,” she said.

Show society secretary Anthea Mathers spoke about the importance of the anniversary and the history of the show.

“150 years is such an significant milestone, we wanted to celebrate and highlight the history of such a fantastic community event,” she said.

Ms Mathers said the show society had also been working in recent years to return the event to its agricultural beginnings.

The exhibition will feature materials reflecting the show’s agricultural roots, including poultry, wool and fleece, as well as displays linked to activities at this year’s show.

“These last couple of years, we’ve really been focused on getting things back to grass-roots,” Ms Mathers said.

This includes involving more local community groups, locally sourced entertainment and bringing back old-style events.

This year's show promises plenty of laughs and excitement, with hobby horse races, gumboot throwing, yabby races, doughnut eating competitions and the crowd-favourite human-versus-truck challenge all on the programme.

“It’s an event which is open to everyone. It’s low cost, full of entertainment, and it’s a nice way to celebrate what’s happening within our community,” she said.

The show's history is being preserved alongside a bright future — with its committee growing from just five members a few years ago to around 17 today, buoyed by a wave of enthusiastic new volunteers stepping up.

The exhibition will open on October 29 and run until the end of January, bringing together a snapshot of the people, stories and traditions that have shaped the show over 150 years.