Inverell Show Society

HISTORY.

​

​The first Inverell Show was held in early 1868. Records indicate that it was held in the yard of Mr Colin Ross’ Flour Mill, on the banks of the McIntyre River. (Situated where Coles Supermarket car park now stands).

It is believed that this was an unofficial show. 

Rough sheds and tarpaulin covered structures served well as the first halls and pavilions.

The first shows were mainly stock shows based on who presented the best horses and bullocks. 

In late 1868 Inverell and Glen Innes formed a joint show society known as the Pastoral and Agricultural Association of New England.

The first show under this association was held in Inverell in 1869. For the first 8 years Inverell and Glen Innes combined to hold the shows which were alternated between the towns.  

Following a meeting in 1876 with the consent of the Inverell group and the Glen Innes group the Pastoral and Agricultural Association was divided into 2 groups. 

Unfortunately, during this period records are not able to be found in either Inverell or Glen Innes. 

In 1875 the first steps were taken to secure land for a showground at Inverell. 11 acres was secured at what is now known as Kamilaroi Oval at the lower end of Byron Street.

As the years passed it became obvious the ground was not able to cater for the expanding community and plans were made to purchase another site for a new showground.  

1903 was the worst drought in years and Inverell was the only show society to hold a successful show. Nearby towns all cancelled their shows.  

Land was purchased on the southern side of Inverell and today this remains the current Inverell Show Ground. 

In 1914 the gates and ticket shed from Kamilaroi Oval were moved to the present showground site.  

In 1917 the first show was held at the new grounds.  

Following the purchase of this land it was decided to sell the Kamilaroi Oval site which was sold for 400 Pounds ($800).

During the war years from 1942 to 1944 there were no shows held in Inverell. 

1975 saw major redevelopments of the showground with buildings being demolished/remodelled and new buildings constructed over the next few years.   

For the first time, in 1976 the show was able to use two arenas situated side by side which are still in use today and in 1989 a trotting track was added. 

Inverell Show Society held their Centenary show in 1968 and the 150-year show in 2018, both at the current showground.        

The Inverell show is always held the last weekend in February or the first weekend in March. 

The Show Society also holds a very successful campdraft weekend toward the later end of the year. 

The Showman’s Guild has always presented a wide variety of side shows and Inverell has a reputation as a showman’s paradise.

​

INVERELL SHOW SOCIETY PRESIDENTS 

Since 1897 Inverell has had the following recorded Presidents:

 

1897-1914 J Borthwick

1915-1916 J Swan

1917-1919 N C Bucknell

1920 T Bowling

1921-1924 A Avern

1925-1926 N C Bucknell

1927-1929 A S McColl

1930-1939 E S Anderson

1940-1941 D M Sinclair

1942-1943-1944 WAR YEARS (no shows)

1945-1948 F File

1949-1962 J McColl

1963-1967 R S McIntyre

1968-1970 A Gibson

​1971-1972 J Pilcher

1973 - 1974 A Gibson

​1974-1976 R Turner

​1977-1982 G Mather

​1983-1985 C Marshall

​1986-1988 S White

​1989-2010 D Holder

2011-2017 G McKenzie

​2018-2025 J Burtenshaw

​

​

​

​