History

YASS PASTORAL & AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION,
YASS SHOW SOCIETY INC.

1863
First Yass Show held in March , Mr H O'Brien 1st President, 1st showground was at present site of Woolworths.
1869
Show held on land now occupied by Linton Hostel & Village.
1876
Show being held on land where O'Connor Park is today.
1878
Shearing competition held at show. Grant money of 5000 pounds made available throughout the colony. Yass receives 68 pounds.
1882
Gate charges: Adults 1 shilling, children 6 pence, 6 pence per wheel for vehicles!
1888
Show held on land, gifted by Mr J Hume, near the town railway and where the Bowling Club is today.
1898
Annual Meeting cancelled because no audit had been carried out.
1901
50 acres purchased for 600 pounds from Mr E McReynolds. 200 pounds paid with 400 pounds balance to be paid over 5 years - interest 5%. Mr J Hume's land is restored to him.
1902
Wagga Wagga architect appointed to draw plans for 8 sided or octagonal 'Hall & Meeting Room'. Work commences on 7th March 1902. Cost 298 pounds. Building completed for 1902 show in September - first show at Grand Junction Road.
1903
Pine trees planted by Secretary, Mr Will Thompson.
1904
Kurrajong trees planted.
1907
The show schedules printed on calico sheets & presented in book form.
1910
Pine trees between Round Pavilion & entrance gate planted & named Harvey Avenue after past President, Mr R Harvey.
1917
Show held on a Wednesday & Thursday in September
1921
A competitor asked to apologise for telling a judge, "he didn't know a horse from a cow".
1925
Camp draft & trotting held at show.
1927
Water laid on to showground. Woodchop introduced to show.
1929
Loud speakers introduced for announcing events & supplying musical program.
1930
Council refuse to water grounds & tracks unless P & A Association pay 2 pounds per day for truck & driver, or 10 shillings per day for a dray.
1931
Calls for Yass Show to be abandoned. After several articles in 'The Yass Courier' paper by editor Bert Mudge Snr., interest is rekindled.
1935
Sydney Press report Yass Show for first time. Toilets to be up-graded as they are 'a bloody disgrace'.
1936
Thomas Glover & Alex Pateman show champion Clydesdales.
1937
Roy Glover, one of the youngest ever Presidents of an agricultural show in N.S.W., states that the 'show is the mirror of the district' & appeals for more community support.
1946
Mrs Norma Hallam (nee Abbey) first woman elected to show committee.
1948
Rodeo or Bushman's Carnival held, 2000 people attend, profit 260 pounds.
1954
Mr Bill Castle-Roche donates Caretaker's Cottage to P & A Association. Cost of erection - 1554 pounds.
1955
Mr David Bullman appointed Caretaker. Mr Clive Taylor, Secretary granted permission to write series of articles for 'Tribune' - "Our Show".
1958
Mr David Bullman becomes Caretaker/Secretary of P&A.
1959
New Poultry pavilion opens with 479 entries. Building costs - 354 pounds.
1961
New kitchen added to Grandstand.
1963
Centenary Show. New sheep pavilions opened by Mayor Terry Walker. Sir Walter Merriman donates money for all internal pens + 2000 pounds cash. Memorial Gates in memory of Mrs Lillian Hodgkinson, dedicated by Mayor Terry Walker & officially opened by Mr Tom Stonham & Sir Walter Merriman.
1966
Block of septic toilets & showers built in horse marshalling area.
1970
Yass Boys Club & Schools Carnival Committee help level areas below Poultry pavilion. Mr Joe Bush donates much time & machinery for this project.
1971
Broadcasting & Ring Office built.
1972
Floor in 'Round House' pavilion is concreted.
1973
N.S.W. Pony Club Association hold Annual Championships at Yass Showground. Mrs Jean Kelly acts as Secretary.
1974
Electricity is connected to stables, bar & sheep pavilions.
1975
Show held on Saturday & Sunday for first time, instead of Friday & Saturday. Grant & loan money become available from Lands Department to enable further improvements to facilities.
1976
Shearing competition commences under leadership of George Johnson & Bruce Turton.
1978
More electrical work carried out - outlets for caravans & camp sites.
1981
Concrete water tank erected at front entrance gate.
1983
Concrete besser block stables built. Yass Shire Council asked to take over 'trusteeship' of showground.
1984
Sports Stadium is located at Showground. Sand Rodeo arena decided on. 90 acres at Cooma Cottage is leased & 240 sheep purchased, providing income for P & A Association.
1987
Major renovations to Grandstand lunch room & Secretary's Office. "Leo Buckmaster Rodeo Arena" officially opened & first night Rodeo held on Saturday of show.
1988
Improvements made to shelving at 'Round House' pavilion. Purchase of computer & donation of photocopier for the office. Steel horse yards built. Showground toilets connected to town sewage line.
1989
'Bruce Merriman' pavilion for agricultural exhibits, officially opened.
1989
Water bore is drilled. Incorporation of Yass Pastoral & Agricultural Association - now the Yass Show Society Inc.
1991
Pump & water lines installed from bore. Galvanised pipe railing erected around main arena replacing timber railing. Sheep yards built at Cooma Cottage.
1992
Wine Show held under stewardship of Richard Paton Sheep counting competition held. First Animal Nursery is established. Major sponsorship by DL Lawrence & Co for Woodchop. B & S Ball held at Showground for first time.
1993
Four year Wether Trial established. Further up-grade of shearing facilities - D.J. Payne Pavilion.
1994
Shire Bush Fire Brigades hold display & competition. Drill Hall re-located to Showground.
1995
Further 2 acres of land on eastern boundary of showground are purchased for $25,000 - huge contrast to original purchase of land in 1901.
1998
Rodeo Committee fund covered tiered seating for Rodeo sand arena & steel horse yards. New loading ramp & two steel yards built at eastern end of Rodeo arena. 2nd Wether Trial commenced.
1999
Old cattle stalls near Woodchop area demolished. Ovine Johnes Disease having devastating effect on Merino Sheep industry & district studs. Sheep sections of show decimated.
2000
New stock loading ramp, steel yards and race built with access to O'Connell Road - funded by Rodeo committee.
2001
Old timber yards replaced with steel yards at Rodeo arena. Cladding completed at Caretaker's Cottage. 3rd Wether Trial commenced.