Advertising feature
The first official Junee Show was held on Wednesday and Thursday, September 26 and 27, 1888.
Organised by the Junee Pastoral, Agricultural, and Industrial Association, the show opened in fine weather, but organisation was not as complete as it could have been.
However, the Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney NSW) of September 29, 1888 reported “the various officers, however, worked hard, and were successful in disposing of the events in good style and order”.
Competitions included horses (blood mares, draught stallions, aged mares), cattle (shorthorns, Devons), sheep, poultry, pigs and dogs. There was also farm produce and dairy products, including bacon, preserves, butter, cheese and vegetables. There were a few good samples of wheat and chaff exhibited.
Competitions were also held for agricultural implements, with several leading firms from Melbourne represented. There were traction engines and double and single-seated buggies exhibited.
In the pavilion, there was also a good collection of harness and saddlery exhibited from industries in Junee and the district.
The examples of ladies’ needlework and embroidery on display were noted in the Journal to be “… of a high order, and the children’s exhibits of writing, drawing, mapping and sewing were meritorious”.
