ON WEDNESDAY, September 9, 1914, the first stone was laid for what would become the Tenterfield Showground Pavilion.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
By late February the following year the building was unveiled to a rousing public reception.
The 2015 Tenterfield Show will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the building that has played an important part in local life for the last century.
The Honourable Charles Arthur Lee took the place of Minister for Agriculture W. G Ashford in attendance for the foundation stone ceremony.
“The attendance was not as great as most people expected, though the country residents were well represented,” The Tenterfield Courier wrote in their Thursday, September 10, 1914 edition.
“There is no doubt the completion of the building will supply a want that has been noticeable for a long while at our annual Shows."
- Tenterfield Courier, September 10, 1914
Over the last century the pavilion has seen various uses from basketball courts, Army base and bizarrely a roller skating arena.
Show Society committee member Helen Petrie is tirelessly working away to gather up as much history on the building prior to next year’s show.
“If you have any information relating to the pavilion and the war era then please come forward,” she said.
In 1939 the building was used for roller skating but upon the outbreak of World War 2 the Army commandeered the pavilion.
“In 1942, 43 and 44 there was no Show – the Army took over the showground on March 11, 1942,” Ms Petrie said.
“They gave it back in early 1945 – it was initially just built for the Show and exhibitions,” she said.
When the building begun construction there was an appeal to the community to aide in completing it by donating what they could.
“The Society is anxious to receive donations – no matter how small – immediately,” the Tenterfield Courier wrote.
“Let everyone be able to say they paid for a brick in the building.”
At the ceremony the Hon. C. A Lee was handed a silver trowel and placed the first tablet into position.
He said the “mere act of placing the tablet in position of the corner stone of the building was a simple matter, but it was indicative of very great things in the district”.
A luncheon, afternoon tea and military events were held to coincide with the event.
The pavilion was designed by Mr F. J Madigan of Glen Innes and the contractors were Kyburz and Sons.
W. T Cadell was Patron of the Society at the time and W. Reid was president.
Half a year later the building was unveiled to the public.
“It only took about $1,700 to build,” Ms Petrie said.
Each year since, it has been the focal point of dozens of Shows and various art exhibits.
Next year’s Tenterfield Show will celebrate the Centenary of Anzac with a themed Show and the old pavilion will remain the focal point a century on.
If you have any information about the pavilion and it’s usage during war times contact Helen on 6736 1128.
