THE Tenterfield Show reaches a major milestone at its next instalment in February next year, which will mark the 140th anniversary of the iconic show.
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To mark the special occasion, show committee members are putting out the call for memorabilia from past shows, hoping that supporters will dig out their ancestors’ old show schedules, photos and other mementos from long ago to collate a history of the show that can be documented.
Show secretary Kim Rhodes said people may wish to donate items to the cause, but keepsakes can be photographed or scanned and returned to their owners.
“We’re looking to get enough for a light book or guide,” Mrs Rhodes said.
Committee members Peter Reid and Helen Peter have also met with Tenterfield Shire Council heritage officer Libby Newell to explore the possibility of securing grants to support the documentation project, including the creation of a database of the show’s history and the protection of deteriorating photographs.
“We’re now looking at black-and-white photographs that are 80-100 years old,” Mr Reid said.
“They need to be digitised and the originals put into storage before it’s too late.”
While that’s a longer term project, at this stage the committee is focussing on collecting mementos and items of interest which can be dropped into the show secretary’s office under the grandstand at the showground. The office is open on Wednesdays, but Mrs Rhodes said people can phone her on 0448 673 373 to arrange other times or for items to be collected.
Mrs Rhodes said while the committee’s efforts to document the show’s history took a blow when memorabilia was stolen and destroyed during a break-in some years ago, interesting items now stored in the show secretary’s office include portraits of every show president since the show’s inception in 1876, barring current president Matt Duff who is yet to sit for his photo.
These and other special archival items will be available for public viewing in the main dining room under the grandstand during the show, which runs on February 10 and 11.
“Showgoers will be able to dine amongst past presidents and patrons,” Mrs Rhodes said.
There will also be a special display to mark the anniversary in the main pavilion.
Mrs Rhodes said the show’s history reflects a huge volunteer effort, right from when Edward Reeves Whereat had the foresight to form the committee to mount the first show, through to workers like Ron Dudgeon who is forever doing maintenance around the grounds and the individuals and community groups who take on full responsibility for various aspects of the show while it’s on.
“Volunteers run the show,” she said, hoping that the history of their efforts can be documented for the current and future generations.