For the newcomer to town, the scope and size of the annual two-day Bangalow Show can be overwhelming. Here, Christobel Munson attempts to point out some particular highlights – though nothing beats a thorough advance reading of the comprehensive and densely packed Pavilion Schedule (listing every event happening inside the A&I Hall, known as the Pavilion for the duration of the show); the Rings and Poultry Schedule for events held outside in the Showgrounds, and the Junior Schedule focused on all the children’s events.
According to Bangalow Agricultural and Industrial Society Secretary, Anne McClelland (full story page 11), the Unique Selling Proposition of the Bangalow show is that, unlike other shows in the North Coast circuit, it’s held in the centre of town. The last Show held in the 12 Far North Coast NSW group of shows, Anne says it’s the relaxed rural atmosphere created by the huge old trees around the grounds that particularly appeals. “Many of our regular stallholders let us know it’s their favourite show location,” she said.
While the popular Ironman competition has been offered for more than 30 years, the Woodchop event in the main ring on Saturday evening is increasing in popularity, too, since its comparatively recent addition to the program. The Boot Toss and Base Zero Mobile Rock Climbing events are both new this year.
The 25 members of the Show Committee, plus the 12 members of the Grounds Committee, regularly come up with good ideas for new events: then comes trying to slot that new event into the tight timetable.
Some events fade in popularity after a while, such as the Rodeo Musical Chairs, Anne says. At times, organisers need to “roll with the punches”. One year, the Hendra Virus affected horses around the State, which weren’t allowed to travel off-farm. So, horse events had to be substituted with camels. People are still talking about it!
Essentially, there are four separate ‘streams’ happening over the two days: competitive ‘indoor’ events happening inside the Pavilion, the ‘outdoor’ Ring events, the Village Green events, and the commercial stalls and rides, which line the Show’s internal pathways.
The theme of this year’s show is ‘Bangas ‘n’ Boots’ (Bangas being short for ‘Bangalow’ not sausages). Inside the Pavilion, entries are beautifully displayed in purpose-built cabinets. Competition is fierce: farm produce, horticulture, flowers, cookery, preserves, art and photography, needlework, patchwork and quilting, craft and the written word. Any one of these sections can receive hundreds of entries, submitted from children to adults.
Judges for some animal-related outdoor events are selected from the AgShowsNSW comprehensive database and must follow strict regulations. Other judges will be sourced from different specific disciplines or breed associations, such as the Stock Horse Association NSW, Australian Bushmen’s and Campdraft Association and Equestrian Australia. They may need to travel from as far as Canberra or Queensland and need to be accommodated. These days, local guest accommodation has become so expensive, judges now stay in Ballina motels. Judges for the Pavilion events are primarily local.
For the Head Steward, work starts on preparing each year’s event by April. For Anne and Show Society President, Donna Jenner, there’s paperwork year-round. Apart from around 25 Society members meeting monthly throughout the year to organise the Show, a number of other local community groups contribute to staging the event. The Lions group runs the kiosk. The CWA provides Devonshire teas. Ballina Rotary handles parking while the Bangalow Mens Shed is on the gates. The school P&C handles the games on the Village Green, open to kids nine years and under (egg and spoon race, three-legged race, sack race). And The Bangalow Herald organises the Bush Poets Competition featuring a $100 prize and a sash.
Popular events on the Village Green also include the reptile display, baby animals and woodwork demonstrations, while the dog high jump and the Friday after school Pet Parade always attract a crowd. Primary school-aged children can also participate in an on-site treasure hunt on Saturday. Collect a form from the Show Office and then mark off numbered boots and other footwear hidden around the Show. Return your completed form to the Show Office before 2pm Saturday for your chance to win a prize.
Donna emphasises that the Society is well supported by between 250 to 300 volunteers. “We’d love more people to help us once the Show finishes Sunday lunchtime,” Donna said. “We need to leave everything clean as the following weekend the monthly markets happen here.”
This may be seen as a relaxed “country show”, but the pressure to win events is cut-throat. One year, The Land interviewed a regular contestant for the extremely popular Tart of the Show Event. Asked what it takes to win it, she replied: “It’s easier to sleep with half the blokes in the Bangalow Pub than win the Tart of the Show.”