On the evening of the 16th of April 1862 a group of influential squatters met at Mr Botterel’s Hotel in Apsley with the purpose of forming an Agricultural Society. At this meeting the Apsley Border Pastoral Association was formed, with a Show to be held on an annual basis alternating between Apsley, Harrow and Naracoorte. Mr Samuel Wilson, MLA, (later Sir Samuel) was invited to be the first President and Mr J. P. Hayman of Lake Wallace was elected Secretary. A set of Rules and Regulations were drawn up for the conduct of the Show and Rule #2 interestingly reads “The competition will be open to stock from any part of the colony provided the exhibitor be a member and subscriber to the Society for the amount of ₤4.
Following this meeting the first Show was held at Apsley on Wednesday 6th August 1862. This first Show was financially successful. The second Show was held in Harrow in 1863 and the classes were extended to include agricultural produce and agricultural implements. Prizes were offered in the implement section for the ‘Most Useful Reaping Machine’, ‘Most Useful Cleaning & Winnowing Machine’, and the ‘Most Useful Threshing Machine’. Unfortunately the Show at Harrow made a financial, loss so it was decided that the Show would be held at Apsley only between 1864 and 1868. It was then that an agreement was made with the Naracoorte Society that the Show alternate between the two towns and the 1869 Show was held in Naracoorte. From very brief minutes it appears that this Show at Naracoorte was not a financial success, however a second Show was held at Naracoorte in 1871 (there was no Show in 1870). The Society was then reconstructed in Apsley in1873 and from 1873 to 1879 the Show was held at Apsley.
In 1880 a motion was moved to change the venue of the annual Show to Edenhope - the consideration being that Edenhope “is much more central which would undoubtedly lead to the Show being much more extensively patronised”.
In 1886 the name was changed to the Kowree Pastoral & Agricultural Association - the objects of the Association being “the development of the pastoral and agricultural resources of the district.” The Association continued under that name until, in February 1911, the name was changed to the Edenhope Pastoral & Agricultural Society. The Show has been operating annually since then running various activities from year to year including tug-of-war, wood chop, flower shows, a concert by the dramatic club. Also, on a number of occasions, a dance was successfully conducted on Show night. Other activities included clay pigeon or target shooting (which was very popular in the 50’s) sheaf tossing and highland dancing. In 1962 the Centenary Year of Shows in this District was celebrated and one of the interesting facts was that one of the descendants of the original committee was the president of the P&A committee in 1962. This was Mr J. S. Warner, who’s great grandfather, Mr W.Rutherford, was a member of the original formation committee in Apsley in 1862. In September 1984 it was decided that the P&A should become an Incorporated body but this was not completed until August 2000.
In 2012 the 150th anniversary of the Show was celebrated.
Following this meeting the first Show was held at Apsley on Wednesday 6th August 1862. This first Show was financially successful. The second Show was held in Harrow in 1863 and the classes were extended to include agricultural produce and agricultural implements. Prizes were offered in the implement section for the ‘Most Useful Reaping Machine’, ‘Most Useful Cleaning & Winnowing Machine’, and the ‘Most Useful Threshing Machine’. Unfortunately the Show at Harrow made a financial, loss so it was decided that the Show would be held at Apsley only between 1864 and 1868. It was then that an agreement was made with the Naracoorte Society that the Show alternate between the two towns and the 1869 Show was held in Naracoorte. From very brief minutes it appears that this Show at Naracoorte was not a financial success, however a second Show was held at Naracoorte in 1871 (there was no Show in 1870). The Society was then reconstructed in Apsley in1873 and from 1873 to 1879 the Show was held at Apsley.
In 1880 a motion was moved to change the venue of the annual Show to Edenhope - the consideration being that Edenhope “is much more central which would undoubtedly lead to the Show being much more extensively patronised”.
In 1886 the name was changed to the Kowree Pastoral & Agricultural Association - the objects of the Association being “the development of the pastoral and agricultural resources of the district.” The Association continued under that name until, in February 1911, the name was changed to the Edenhope Pastoral & Agricultural Society. The Show has been operating annually since then running various activities from year to year including tug-of-war, wood chop, flower shows, a concert by the dramatic club. Also, on a number of occasions, a dance was successfully conducted on Show night. Other activities included clay pigeon or target shooting (which was very popular in the 50’s) sheaf tossing and highland dancing. In 1962 the Centenary Year of Shows in this District was celebrated and one of the interesting facts was that one of the descendants of the original committee was the president of the P&A committee in 1962. This was Mr J. S. Warner, who’s great grandfather, Mr W.Rutherford, was a member of the original formation committee in Apsley in 1862. In September 1984 it was decided that the P&A should become an Incorporated body but this was not completed until August 2000.
In 2012 the 150th anniversary of the Show was celebrated.
Information courtesy: The Edenhope Historical Society
The Hamilton Spectator
and The Kowree Advocate
The Hamilton Spectator
and The Kowree Advocate