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Newcastle and Maitland Shows

Contributed by Greg Ray, RAHS Member

The first Newcastle Show was held in 1902 and featured ‘spectacular events such as an eight-man ladder and hose race, municipal tug-of-war, wrestling on horseback, tent pegging and highland dancing and piping’. Judging was held in poultry, horses, garden produce, flowers, cookery, needlework, wagons and buggies, painting, drawing and writing, dairy produce and beekeeping. The show became an annual event, though it skipped the year 1916 because the grounds were needed as a military camp for World War I. The influenza epidemic put paid to the 1919 event and World War II prevented shows being held from 1941 to 1945.

The Maitland Show has a longer pedigree, making the event one of the oldest in Australia.

These photographs date from 1959 and the 1960s, when the annual shows had become firmly established as major regional carnivals which still held true to their agricultural roots while offering a huge variety of entertainments.

Black and white photograph of a man holding the leads of three reigned horses. The man is dressed in a broad-rimmed hat, plain trousers held by suspenders and a white shirt collared and buttoned shirt.

Black and white photograph of a woman smiling while she inspects the labels produce display. Various vegetables are on display with identifying labels.

Black and white photograph of five Asian people, four women and a younger man, all wearing traditional South-East Asian attire. They are waving and smiling while they ride on the Ferris wheel.

Black and white photograph of three women arranging a vegetable display.

These photos were supplied by Greg and Sylvia Ray and have been used with their permission.

To find out more about their work and history services, visit www.phototimetunnel.com

References:

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 15 and 17 May, 1902.

Maitland Showground’s History, <https://maitlandshowground.com.au/our-history/>.