~ The History of the Dinninup Show ~

The first President of the Society Mr F.W. Gibbs

The first Secretary of the Society - Mr W.D. Moore

The first meeting of the Upper Blackwood Agricultural & Pastoral Society was held at the Dinninup Hall (the small brick building, built in
1906) in 1918. The meeting was convened by Mr W.D. Moore who was later voted Secretary and Mr F. Gibbs, President.

The first Show was held on 18th November, 1919. The first Show was so successful that it was decided to build a second hall which was completed in time for the second Show in 1920

On 7th November 1961, at the 43rd Show, Memorial Gates were unveiled by Shire President, Mr JR Purse in memory of the district pioneers.

The Show has been held continuously since 1918, not even stopping for World War II – instead, raising funds for the War Effort.

Sir James Mitchell, Premier of WA,  travelled down from Perth by train several times for the Show, staying in his own carriage at the Dinninup Station.

The Society has maintained a high level of excellence and tradition.
 

Opening of the first Dinninup Hall in 1906

Malcolm Cambell, Guy Mitchell, Lindsay Crawford, Walter Trigwell c. 1936

Upper Blackwood Shire President, PD Forrest, & WA Premier, Sir James Mitchell at Show c. 1947

Cyril Beatty and Ernie Trigwell

Richard Trigwell and Eric Gibbs c. 1930

The first four trophies won - by Walter Trigwell

John Lee Steere, Hubert Blechynden and James Lee Steere c. 1940 at the UBAS Show

1995 - Boyup Brook was the guest town at the Perth Royal Show

​2003 Show - Celebrating 50 Year Exhibitors

J. Torrie, D. Torrie, I. Fairbrass.

B. & R. Trigwell

H.B. Whistler, M. Gibbs

 2018  - Celebrating 100 Years
​A QUICK GLANCE AT HISTORY
UPPER BLACKWOOD AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL SOCIETY

• Red Cross had fund raising days for WWI effort and, after the War, it was suggested that a Wool & Sheep Show replace them.
• 1st Show on Thursday 27th November, 1919
• It was such a great success that a new hall was built for 2nd show (1920 – meaning that this hall is now 98 years old.)
• 8th Show, 1926, – 100 fleeces, beautiful flowers, particularly roses and almost 300 children’s entries.
• 15th Show, 1933 date changed to first Tuesday in November (also Melbourne Cup Day 7/11/1933 - ‘Hallmark’ won!)
• 1937 an amplifier was used for the first time with speakers around the grounds and in the exhibition halls.
• 1940 Patriotic Show – prize money contributed to the WWII effort.  Six ‘patriotic’ shows raised £900 for the war effort.
• 1946 it was noted that no young members were attending meetings and that night meetings should be considered.
• 1961 Shire President, Mr J.R. Purse, unveiled Pioneer Memorial Gates at 43rd Show.
• 1969 Drought, the introduction of wheat quotas and low commodity prices for livestock contributed to difficult times for the agricultural industry for a number of years.
• 1970s The Society dropped the “& Pastoral” from the Constitution.
• 1974 inaugural Miss Show Girl Award.  In 2000 it changed to Rural Ambassador Award – open to both young ladies and men, aged 20-30.  UBAS has had 5 Group winners and three State winners, Tanya Widdeson (Miss Show Girl, 1982), Charles Gordon (Rural Ambassador, 2003) and Harris Thompson (Rural Ambassador, 2018)
• 1980 - 2000 Improved herd quality accounted for a doubling of milk output despite a decline in dairy farms. Mixed crop and livestock farms declined. Wheat yields doubled with WA harvesting 40% of the national crop.
• 1990 “I Think I’ll Go to the Dinninup Show” by Doug Halstrom  
• 2007 Schedule was digitised and website established.
• Wool and sheep have always featured and the second show had many other Sections which have carried through to today.  Some, like Dairy Products, C.W.A. Section, Goats, Dogs, Mohair, and Pigs (1920s, 1941, 1980-2003) have come and gone.
• Other events are, or have been – Log Chops, Shearing Competition, Ewe Hogget Competition, Junior Judging, Sheaf Tossing, Sheep Counting, Pet Parades, Decorated Bikes, ‘One Family’s Work’, Working Dog Demonstrations and Vintage Cars. ‘Gold Star Awards’ for loyal sponsors and supporters and ‘50 Years of Showing’ for long term exhibitors.
• 2010 roadside mural created by Sandy Chambers.
• The Society has relied on community organisations to be part of the day – the Shire, the Mayanup Pony Club, CWA and church groups, P & C and P & F, Caterers, Lions Club, Axemen’s Association, Scouts & Brownies, Junior Farmers, and in return they have promoted their membership and products.
• The Showmen’s Association organised all the side-shows to come, usually from Busselton Show and on to Albany Show but now it is up to the Society to access side-show events.
• The Schools close each Show Day to participate in the Show and shops in Boyup Brook used to close for all or part of the day.
• Ground improvements to power and water supplies; extending the area by taking out the old tennis courts; roofing pig and sheep yards and upgrading the shearing and other pavilions.
• Many, many people have given their time making the Show the success it is, both on Show Day and on the Committee during the year.  About 30 Stewards are needed each show day and many have given years to their duties. Some have received Life Membership for their dedication; some have had pavilions named after them; they all show up every Show Day to attend ‘their’ section.   There are too many to name here and, for fear of overlooking someone, we will not, but each Show Day they are greatly appreciated and remembered.

A more detailed history of the Show can be read in the Centenary Souvenir booklet - contact UBAS to obtain a copy.