Life on the West Island - A demisemiseptcentennial
25 January 2023
On Monday 9th October 2023, the Royal Norfolk Island Agricultural and Horticultural Society will mark 164 years of conducting its annual show. It has an impressive record of organising popular and well-attended agricultural shows and has even earned the right to have Show Day as a public holiday on the second Monday in October each year. The first Norfolk Island agricultural show was held in 1860; just over four years after the Morayshire had delivered 194 people from Pitcairn Island to settle Norfolk. The Norfolk Island Royal Show is easily the largest and most successful event of its kind in any of the external territories claimed by the West Island.
But Norfolk’s proud record falls a little short of a rural agricultural show which this week celebrates its demisemiseptcentennial – that is, it says it is about to hold its 175th annual show. The small southern coastal town of Kiama in the Premier State likes to boast that its show is one of the oldest and best on the West Island. The Kiama Agricultural Society website explains its origins:
Formed on 24 November 1848, the society held their first meeting at the Fitzroy Inn, where Michael Hindmarsh was made the Chairman of the Society. At this time, Kiama township consisted of 18 permanent houses, two stores, two inns, one church and a jetty in the harbour. The Agricultural Show was a means for the early farmers to encourage other new farmers to experiment with agriculture and find what would best suit the newly settled area. The first Kiama Agricultural Show was held in February 1849 in the new brewery connected to the Fitzroy Inn in Collins Street, as the building was long enough to house the display of produce.
The second Kiama Show was held in 1850. A pavilion was erected for exhibits and another for refreshments. The cattle were penned in yards where the original Kiama Public School was located (now the Sebel Harbourside) and the horses were shown where the Presbyterian Church is now located. Dairying was rapidly developing in the area and there was a high level of produce and stock on display, including wheat, barley, maize, potatoes, cheese, ham, bacon, and vegetables of gigantic size. There was also a huge supply of fruit, including grapes from the different vineyards.
The Kiama Show then relocated many times, but finally settled at its current location at Church Point, in the middle of the town, in 1896.
But although Kiama claims that 2023 is its 175th show, it has to acknowledge that for 12 years in the mid-19th century, no shows were conducted due to outbreaks of cattle diseases, and shows were also suspended for two recent years because of the Covid pandemic. So, perhaps Norfolk Island is closer to a demisemiseptcentennial achievement for actual shows held?
The Norfolk Island Agricultural and Horticultural Society Royal Show also has a fascinating history, and is promoted to tourists as one of the highlights of each year in the Norfolk calendar. Norfolk Select states that:
John Christian Curwan, Fletcher Christian’s cousin, is actually the one who has been credited with founding the very first Show Day in England in 1805 when he founded the Workington Agricultural Society. Thanks to his scientific agricultural work, he is currently known as the Father of Agriculture. Today, lots of different people vie for prizes at Norfolk Island’s Show Day, some of whom might even be his own descendants!
It is also recorded that the ministers of the Church of England Melanesian Mission participated in organising the event for around 60 years from 1860 onward, and in some years also held both spring and autumn agricultural shows at Longridge.
These two venerable agricultural shows have much in common. Both are built around displayed entries of local produce, such as fruit, vegetables, flowers, cakes, jams and eggs. Many of these sections are hotly contested and the award for the best scones is especially prized. Potted plants, shrubs and succulents also attract many entries featuring some delightful specimens. Both shows also feature handicrafts, artworks, photography and carpentry. There are sections for junior competitors including some fine examples of art, cookery and creative writing.
Equitation and other equestrian events featuring horses and ponies are a major attraction in both Kiama and Norfolk Island, and the judging of the Grand Champion bull and cow in both the beef and dairy categories are major events. The owners of these prize animals bask in the glory of their championship ribbons for the next 12 months and are regarded with awe by their less successful rivals.
Kiama is a larger settlement than Norfolk, so it attracts West Island carnival operators with their gaudy sideshows and rides. But Norfolk Island Royal Show usually has much more involvement of local charities and community groups. While many Kiama residents seldom attend their annual show, the same cannot be said of the brilliant Norfolk Island event, where it seems almost everyone on the Island attends and is involved in running the show or entering the many competitive categories.
So, which community will reach its demisemiseptcentennial of actual shows held, not just 175 years since its first ever agricultural show? Norfolk Island would seem to have a slight edge there, as it should achieve that mark in 2034. But who cares? When it comes to hosting a great event – and a West Island/external territory institution – both communities put on diverse and enjoyable show spectaculars which should not be missed!