Tooraweenah Showground

Item details


Name of item:	Tooraweenah Showground
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Community Facilities
Category:	Showground
Location:	Lat: S31°26.366’ Long: E148° 54.973’
Primary address:	Yootha Road, Tooraweenah, NSW 2817
Local govt. area:	Gilgandra
Hectares (approx):	16

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Yootha Road	Tooraweenah	Gilgandra			Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	Tooraweenah Showground was developed form 1914 following the establishment of a Pastoral and Agricultural Society. It is representative of the development of Tooraweenah following the introduction of closer settlement in the late 19th century. The showground contains a number of buildings constructed using vernacular and carpenter style construction methods. The showground buildings have the potential to provide information on the construction of vernacular and carpenter style buildings in the early 20th century. The showground and its structures have local historical, aesthetic, social and technical/research significance, and representativeness. They also have a high degree of integrity.
	Date significance updated: 30 Oct 08
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Various
Builder/Maker:	Various
Construction years:	1914-
Physical description:	The Tooraweenah Showground includes a complex of structures of vernacular and carpenter construction. These include a show ring, a main pavilion with high gable roof and supper room, two smaller pavilions, and sheep and cattle sheds.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The showground buildings appear to be generally in sound condition. The site is considered to have little archaeological potential.
	Date condition updated:30 Oct 08
Modifications and dates:	Construction of a rodeo ring - 1978


Current use:	Showground
Former use:	Showground

History

Historical notes:

Andrew Brown of Cooerwull near Lithgow established a series of pastoral runs around the Upper Castlereagh River and Warrumbungle Range during the 1830s. Among these was the Tooraweenah Run that was taken up in 1837. A store was established on the northern side of Tooraweenah Creek in 1841 to provide supplies for Brown’s shepherds and drovers. Stores were brought by wagon from Mudgee. (Rohr)

Following the implementation of the Robertson Land Acts of 1861 the Tooraweenah run was broken up into smaller holdings. Free Selectors began moving into the district surrounding Tooraweenah from this time. The first village school was established in 1884 and by 1914 the town hosted 15 businesses. Among these was the Mountain View Hotel, built in 1911. (Rohr)

A Pastoral and Agricultural Society was formed in Tooraweenah through the efforts of Mr Thomas Sheldon, who personally canvassed the district for members. The first show was held in August 1914. Sheldon was one of the main horse exhibitors for many years and his family were active in other sections. (Willott 1984:18)

During World War II the format of the show was changed to that of a carnival with sporting events, horse events, cake stalls and chocolate wheel. All were conducted to raise money for the war effort. (Willott 1984:33)

In 1970 the Annual Show was officially opened by television personality Joe Martin. With guest stars Lyn Barnett, Don Spencer and Mike Dorsey, Joe Martin entertained patrons at the Show Ball. Scenes from the show and ball were filmed by Channel 10 for ‘The Joe Martin Show”. (Willott 1984:48) Rodeo yards were constructed at the showground in 1978 (Willott 1984:50).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	(none)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	(none)-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Tooraweenah Showground was developed from 1914 following the establishment of a Pastoral and Agricultural Society. It is representative of the development of Tooraweenah following the introduction of closer settlement in the late 19th century. The showground has local historical significance.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The showground contains a number of buildings constructed using vernacular and carpenter style construction methods. The complex of buildings has local aesthetic significance.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The showground has hosted local pastoral and agricultural shows for almost a century. It has local social significance.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The showground buildings have the potential to provide information on the construction of vernacular and carpenter style buildings in the early 20th century. They have local technical/research significance.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Tooraweenah Showground is representative of the development of the pastoral and agricultural industries of the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Integrity/Intactness:	The site and its buildings have a high degree of integrity.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Gilgandra Local Environmental Plan 2011	I87	09 Dec 11
Heritage study

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Gilgandra Shire Community Based Heritage Study	2008		Ray Christison	Ray Christison	Yes
Gilgandra Shire Community Based Heritage Study	2008		Ray Christison	Ray Christison	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Rohr, K.	2008	Notes on the History of Tooraweenah
Written	Willott, G.	1984	100 Years of Education in Tooraweenah 1884-1984

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	1590088

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