Page 6 - The Outdoor Showman July-September 2024

Castlemaine & District Agricultural Society Inc.
Established 1854 celebrating 170 years on the Camp Reserve Castlemaine, Victoria Australia.
To all our friends involved with the Victorian Showmen’s Guild we sincerely thank you for your support for our annual Show.
Our Committee have always enjoyed catching up with many of you at Showtime.
From our chats with the Laurie family, John Roberts and the happy lads on the Dodgems. Over the years Laurie’s Dodgems, Watkins and Pink families what a thrill. The past members Frank Laurie and Max Laurie OAM. Dick Watkins. Barb Trevor and Keith Nocen. Thank you, we remember you, and all sad that many are no longer with us.
Barb would celebrate her birthday at our Show. Now we get to say hello over the phone with Ted.
The descendants still attending
are wonderful. The Phillips family. Frank Laurie Jnr., Anthony and
Pat. A cuppa with Pat when she
can attend is always wonderful. Chatting to her close to her birthday is a privilege. We of course cannot forget the Quay family and Marlene.
Lifelong friendships we have forged.
Sadly, over my 38 years now as secretary 29 members have passed away. All very sad.
This year Noel Flanagan (Barney) passed away on the 14/4/24
aged 86 yrs. He had suffered a
fall from a broken hip which he recovered from, but trouble getting around. It was a lung infection
that won the battle. Noel was past President, Vice President also President of the Midlands Group of VAS LTD. Chief wool and sheep steward and in his words Chief Roustabout. Rest in peace!
The grounds Camp Reserve was originally the Police Commissioners Camp from 1851-1854. The Chief Commissioner Edward John Bull born 1806-1901 our first Show President. Our Show celebrated 150 years in 2005. However, it wasn’t until the new Master Plan and a Heritage Report we are in fact one year older. Established in 1854 and not 1855 as previously thought. Those early years the cooking, arts etc. were displayed in the Market building in the centre of town. In 1934 the Show build the Pavilion at the front of the grounds.
Just near that pavilion has always been Laurie’s Run. Frank jr loved to
watch the floral exhibits entering for competition. Funny stories from Pat Laurie one in particular a dog pinched a sponge cake and took it to the oval. Thoroughly enjoyed by that dog. A snake once ventured in clearing everyone out super quickly from the building. Frank told me his family came to Castlemaine in 1892.
They purchased the steam Merry Go Round in 1898. The Merry Go Round has attended the Show many times and last visit was 2005 for the 150th which in fact was our 151st.
4 THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN
170 Years