Grafton's Showground was originally opposite Grafton Racecourse, in Powell Street, where Grafton Ten Pin Bowling now stands. There was an area for cattle displays, a beautiful grandstand and a barn - the same barn that stands at the current showground site.
In 1906, the Grafton Showground was relocated to Prince Street after a cyclone ravaged the former site. The Barn was salvaged and is the only remaining building from the Pound Street Showground site.
Years ago, as you wandered the sideshow alley, snake tamers and freak-shows were in abundance. Betty Wilcox, of Levenstrath, (who has been exhibiting at The Grafton Show since 1960) first fell in love with the show at an early age. "We only ever had a couple of sixpences to go on a few rides, at that age we were interested in the sideshows" Betty said. "I can remember there were Shetland ponies which had little monkies ride thier backs and another stall had a real pygmy. I can also remember this one lady who had no hands and she did everything with her feet - even pour a cup of tea"
Fellow Grafton Show lover - Board Member, Frank Clark, who joined the board in 1946 said "I think one of the amazing things to happen was the relocation of the Barn in 1906, it would have been done by horse and that would have been amazing to see."
Exerts courtesy of The Daily Examiner, Grafton
Winner of the State Championship
Camp Draft - Grafton Show 1936
Bruce Winn (Rider)
Back Row: (L to R) - D.A. Green, J.R. McFarlane, L.J. Amos, C.E. Collins, A. Ryan, N. R. Tunsted, R.A. Davidson, M. Mulligan, E. See, H.L. Paine, E. Southgate
Second Row: (L to R) - P.See, L.E.W. Green, H. Lee, A.D. McKie, P. Freeman, D.J. Ensby, G.V. Harrison, D. Turnball, C.L. Wilkes, C.G. Ellis, K.J. Smith
Third Row: (L to R) - A.J. Ellem, B. Maxwell, A.H. Short, G.W. Chalmers, A.W. Davis, E.A. Watkins, C. Newlinds, R.R. McGregor, E.R. Turnbull, A.E. Richardson, H.C. Caldwell, I. Maxwell
Front Row: (L to R) - C.J. O'Toole, C.C. Dean (Secretary), W.E. Crisp (Mayor of Grafton), D.H. Badgery, D. Comerford (Vice President), W.T. Ford (President), F.W. Clark, A.E. Green, C. Richards (Vice President), G.F. Emmett (Hon. Treasurer), J.M. McFarlane.
Absent: R. Hawthorne, H.M. Johnston, G.M. Mills, S.D. Short, D. Hughes, I.H. Short, R.W. Whalan, M. Bracks, J.K. Robson
