Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 6 October 1949, page 13


In the 'Seventies

Toodyay

Show

by T. J. MARREY

J3ACK in the 'Seventies the

Toodyay Show was usually held in the month of October or early November. And the races were the following day. The exhibits at the show were small and were 'mainly for live stock. A few exhibitors I can recall were S. P. Phillips, James Butterley (sen.), James Drum-mond, B. D. Clarkson, L. B. Lukin, James Everett, W. G. Leeder and Geo. Sinclair.

The show dinner was prepared at one of the hotels, either the Freemasons or the Newcastle.

Although there were no ring events, there were lots of fun and amusements in the town it-self for all. Erected slightly off the footpath of the main street were bush sheds, and the side-shows were in evidence. Other attractions included the shoot; ing galleries and spinning jen-nies, with the shouting-"A shilling à spin and a prize every

time." while the hotels were supplied with beautiful music from the violin and the concer-tina, and in conjunction with the "step-dancing," which, too, was very interesting.

Then came the races the fol-lowing day. There was no sprint racing in those days. The shortest race was one mile and the longest three miles. I re-member Kate winning a race for Mr. W. G. Leeder. Kate was the grand-dam of that won-derful pony galloper Madelene. Races over, next came No. 1 ball, which was held at the Newcastle Hotel, while No. 2 was at the Freemasons, where the dancing would keep going until after sunrise. Then all hands would gradually disap-pear and make for their homes quite happy to think that they had had such a good time.