History

12771865_752900641511540_6621750922821058321_o — This photograph was taken by the Mercury in the mid 1950’s. This copy was ordered and kindly donated to the Ouse Community History Room by John and Libby Shoobridge.

The Hamilton District Agricultural Show was formed following a meeting of Soldier Settler Farmers in the early 1950’s. It was originally held in the Spring months, but due to the work commitments of the committee members, it was changed to an Autumn event.

Now in its 71st year, the show has been successfully run for all of but three of these years due to natural disasters and pandemic circumstances.

In 1960 flooding greatly effected the area, and saw the concrete bridge across the Clyde River washed away, ending up on the grassed area in front of the grandstand at the Hamilton Show Grounds!

Again in 1967, the show was cancelled this time due to the bush fires. Consequently the Show Committee arranged to join forces with some Hayes Jail Farm prisoners – and their supervising wardens, to help split fence posts to be used for the rebuilding of fences destroyed by the fires.

The main objective of this show is to promote agriculture in the Central Highlands and Upper Derwent Valley. This show also aims to bridge the gap between folk in the city, food festivals and primary producers.

While the format has changed slightly over the years, the emphasis is still placed on wool, sheep, cattle and more recently miniature goats and ‘Temptations of the Valley’, offering food and beverages that feature local produce.

HAMILTON SHOW ROCKS

http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-03-02/sharing-story-of-hamilton-show-rock-sign/8314682

HAMILTON SHOW PRESIDENTS AND YEAR OF OFFICE:

1952 – 1954 Mr. J.W. Baker, 1955 – 1956 Mr. R.A. Johnston, 1958 – 1959 Mr. G. Ashton – Jones, 1960 – 1961 Mr. W.J. Hamilton, 1962 – 1963 Mr. J.L. Shoobridge, 1964 – 1965 Mr. E.L. Archer, 1966 – 1968 Mr. G.T. Boss-Walker, 1969 – 1970 Mr. K.T. Downie, 1971 – 1972 Mr. C.F.C. Parsons, 1973 – 1974 Mr. S.J.K. Pitt, 1975 – 1976 Mr. G.F. Parsons, 1977 – 1978 Mr. J.R. Shoobridge, 1979 – 1980 Mr. M.A. Wood, 1981 – 1982 Mr. J.R. Jones, 1983 – 1984 Mr. D.R. Johnston, 1985 – 1986 Mr. R.D. Parsons, 1987 – 1988 Mr. C.W. Ellis, 1989 – 1990 Mr. A.J. Downie, 1991 – 1992 Mr. C.R. Johnston, 1993 – 1994 Mr. R.K. Downie, 1995 – 1996 Mr. J.R. Allwright, 1997 – 1998 Mr. B.J. Davie, 1999 – 2000 Mr. G.S. Ashton-Jones, 2001 – 2003 Mr. B.B. Brain, 2004 – 2004 Mr. A.K. Denholm, 2005 – 2007 Mrs. T.L. McMichael, 2008 – 2010 Mr. D. Madden, 2011 – 2012 Mr. R. Hallett, 2013 – 2014 Mr. C Downie, 2015 – 2017 Mrs. J Jones, 2018 – 2020 Mr. W Chapman, 2021-2022 Mr J. Beattie.