THE Gulargambone Show Society held their 100th P&A show in 2021 and had planned to celebrate with a gathering of committee and supporters when COVID restrictions forced them to press pause.

This year was also one of false starts and their celebrations were again postponed from July until Saturday 29 October.

Their patience was rewarded with a warm sunny day when around 70 people enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Gulargambone Showground.

"It started at midday and Megan O'Connor catered with cold meats and salads, a beautiful meal in keeping with what they probably ate at the first show 105 years ago," he said.

"With no designated finishing time the celebrations ended at around 6pm when Ian (Bull) Lambell drove away with the Lions Club coolroom."

Many past and present society members were on hand to mark the occasion.

"We had our oldest member, Allan (Rev) Walker, on hand to cut the cake," said Show Society President Angus Beveridge. "Rev spent forty years as the Wool Steward so it was great to have him and Deirdre there."

"We were lucky to have four previous Presidents there as well - Ian (Bull) Lambell, Bill Hamilton, Dominic Spora and Paul Fisher," he said.

• ABOVE: Gulargambone Show Society’s longest-serving steward Allan (Rev) Walker cuts the cake with current Show President Angus Beveridge. PHOTO: Sheree Spora

"Our current secretary Sheree Spora was the main driver behind the event, and we’ve been blessed to have had some great secretaries and unfortunately Margaret Windeyer, who was secretary for many years, was unable to be with us on Saturday."

A woodchopping demonstration was still one of the main attractions at the 2021 Gulargambone Show. Photo: Coonamble Times

According to local historian Mrs Doreen Best in her book 'Gulargambone As It Was', the first Gulargambone Annual Show was held on Wednesday 3 October 1917.

'Because of World War II, from 1941 to 1945 no shows were held. In 1945 the Association was re-formed in 1945 with Mr M O'Brien as President. The show was then held in May and from a two-day show before the war it became a one day event. A feature in 'The Western Stock & Station Journal' in 1956 and 1957 called the Gulargambone Show "the biggest little show in the west".'

2021 Gulargambone Show. PHOTO: Coonamble Times

Mr Beveridge acknowledged everyone involved in staging the show each year, especially "the locals on the committee who run it and look after it each year."

"It is well attended from outside areas like Coonamble, Gilgandra and west to Warren," he said. "It is still a great little show."

The Quickshear Competition brings competitors and spectators from around the region. PHOTO: Coonamble Times

"We've got a solid group together now and I hope they continue but we always welcome new people," Mr Beveridge said.

"It's not a very hard thing to do and I encourage the younger generations to get involved - it's a wonderful thing for a small community."

Dodgem fun at the 2021 Gulargambone Show. PHOTO: Coonamble Times

The Society has around 75 members and an active committee including Sheree Spora (Secretary), Sarah Roche (Treasurer) and Henry Taylor and Willy Redington (Vice Presidents).

"We're a free show too and the members still support us by paying their membership," Mr Beveridge said. "The sponsors from the local area are fantastic as well and I think we'll keep the free gate. It works well for us."

The local community show off their talents in the pavilion each year. PHOTO: Coonamble Times

"It's incredible how the 101st Show this year - with no sheep, no cattle, no horse events and no campdraft - was still one of the best attended in recent years," he said.

"It was beautiful weather and I can't imagine how great it would have been if it had all gone ahead as planned."