Townsville Showground facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Townsville Showground
Townsville Showground grandstand, 2007
Location	72-104 Ingham Road, West End, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Townsville Showground
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	16 October 2008
Reference no.	602650
Significant period	1880s (fabric) 1880s-ongoing (historical use)
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The Townsville Showground is a special place in West End, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It's a heritage-listed site, meaning it's important to history and protected. The showground has been used since 1882 for many events, especially the annual Townsville Show. It's a place where people show off farm products, animals, and local businesses. It also hosts sports, concerts, and community gatherings.

History of the Showground

The Townsville Showground was started in 1882 by a group called the North Queensland Pastoral and Agricultural Association. This group later became the Townsville Pastoral Agricultural and Industrial Association (TPA&I). The showground is still used today and is one of Queensland's most important showgrounds.

In the late 1870s, local leaders wanted a special place for shows. The first Townsville Show happened in 1880, but it was spread out in different places. In 1881, the government gave the Association 10 acres of land for a showground. The first show at this new spot was in 1882. People quickly realized they needed more space. So, in 1888, the showground grew to over 30 acres.

A Community Meeting Place

From the very beginning, the Townsville Show was a big event for the community. It was a place to show off farm animals and products. People also learned about new farming ideas and technology. It was a chance for families and friends from all over North Queensland to meet up and have fun.

Farmers brought their best horses and cattle. The shows also featured wool, timber, coffee, and minerals, showing what was important in the region. Women displayed their cooking, sewing, and crafts. Children could enter competitions for their schoolwork. People traveled from far away to take part and enjoy the social side of the show.

Growing the Show

In 1890, the Association decided to bring in judges from all over Queensland for the animal competitions. This made the show more competitive. Winners from Townsville could even enter the big Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland Show (RNA) in Brisbane. This helped show off North Queensland's products to a wider audience.

Train and shipping companies helped by offering cheaper transport for exhibits and animals. This made it easier for people to bring their best items to the show.

Challenges and Rebuilding

The show became very popular, but there wasn't enough space for all the exhibits. They used a military hall, but it wasn't always available. In 1891, the Association planned to build new exhibition halls. However, a big economic downturn and a drought meant the show had to be canceled for two years.

When the show started again in 1894, the railway helped by running special "Show excursion trains." This made it easier for people from other towns to visit. As more show associations started in North Queensland, the Townsville group changed its name to TPA&I. They worked with other towns to create a show circuit, with the Townsville Show usually in July.

After a big storm called Cyclone Sigma in 1896, plans were made to improve the showground. This included new animal pens, a bigger show ring, and a grandstand. The firm Tunbridge & Tunbridge, famous architects in Townsville, designed the new grandstand.

The Grandstand of 1901

Tenders for the grandstand were called in 1901. It was designed to be 96 feet long and 47 feet deep. It could hold up to 1000 people. The building had a special design to catch the breeze and keep people cool. It also had rooms underneath for food and rest. With the new grandstand, the Townsville Showground became a complete and modern show facility.

More Storms and Celebrations

In 1903, Cyclone Leonta hit Townsville, damaging the showground. But the community quickly came together. Three months later, a huge crowd of over 3500 people attended the show's grand opening, showing their strong spirit.

In 1913, the showground was the center of Townsville's 50th anniversary celebrations. Many events ended there, including a fireworks display. The week-long carnival had sports, bicycle races, and even a steam-powered merry-go-round.

In the 1910s, the Townsville Council built large drains around West End to help with heavy rain. These drains also went through the showground, helping to improve the land. This allowed for more upgrades, like extending the poultry pavilion.

War and Changes

The military drill hall next door was often used as the main exhibition hall. During World War I, the showground supported returned soldiers. In 1918, a new drill hall was designed by important architects for the Defence Force. This hall was used for many exhibits like crafts and children's sections.

By 1924, the Townsville Show was the main event in the North Queensland show circuit.

Sideshows, like carnival games and boxing troupes, were not allowed at first. Some people thought they attracted "undesirable" crowds. But eventually, they were allowed in a small area. The Sharman and Staig Boxing Troupe was one of the first in 1924.

By 1929, the showground had many improvements: a grandstand, exhibition hall, offices, animal stalls, and an 8-foot high iron fence around the grounds.

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the community worked hard to keep the show going. The showground also became a place for a soup kitchen for people in need.

New seating stands, called "Curley Bell's" after their builder, were added in the late 1920s and early 1930s. These gave better views of events like trotting races. The showground also hosted motor cycle racing and rodeos.

A new, larger exhibition hall was needed. Local architects W & M Hunt designed it. It was built in 1939 and became one of the biggest dance venues in North Queensland. After World War II, it was named Heatley Hall, in memory of a long-serving member of the Association.

During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, the Australian Army used the showground for military purposes. The annual show was stopped. Heatley Hall was used for dances for soldiers and locals. When Townsville was bombed by Japanese planes in 1942, people used the large storm drains at the showground as air raid shelters. After the war, the Victory Parade ended at the showground.

Three young women dressed up for a day at the Townsville Show, 1941

Post-War Growth

After the war, the show quickly started again. People dressed up and traveled from all over to attend. For many, it was a rare chance to meet relatives and have a photograph taken.

By 1951, the showground had grown even more, using some former Army buildings. It had three exhibition halls, the grandstand, animal stalls, and offices. New types of cattle, like Brahman and Santa Gertrudis, were shown for the first time in the 1950s.

In 1969, the Townsville Show was still the main event in a wide show circuit across North Queensland. The railway continued to offer special tickets and freight deals for exhibits.

In 1971, new cattle yards and a sales arena were built. The show also helped regional charities and youth clubs raise money.

Modern Showground

In 1972, Cyclone Althea caused a lot of damage to the showground. This led to a big rebuilding and expansion project. The show ring was made larger and given an elliptical shape for racing. The main grandstand was moved to a new spot, and new steel stairs were added. More buildings were constructed, including a liquor booth and a Cat and Cavy pavilion.

The Townsville Show is still very popular today. In 2007, over 59,000 people attended, and in 2008, that number grew to about 63,300. The showground now hosts many different events, from extreme sports to rock concerts, while still focusing on community groups.

What You Can See at the Showground

The Townsville Showground is about 14.38 hectares (about 35 acres) in size. It has many different buildings, yards, and open spaces. Some parts have been moved or changed over the years. Important parts include the animal pavilions, the main show ring, the Grandstand, Heatley Hall, the Poultry Exhibition pavilion, and the old entrance gates. There are also some very old and large Banyan trees.

The Grandstand (1901)

This building has a hipped roof made of corrugated steel. The back wall has original timber louvres for air flow. Inside, there are three rows of wooden bench seats. Tall wooden columns support the front of the grandstand. Two steel stairs were added in the 1970s when the building was moved. Underneath, there is space for exhibits or storage.

Central Show Ring (since 1882)

This is the main grassy area where events happen. It's surrounded by an oval-shaped track. The inner fence is made of metal piping and has a "lure" system for greyhound racing. The outer fence is made of concrete blocks with a cool triangular pattern. This ring is the central point of the showground, with many buildings around it.

Poultry and Bird Fancier Pavilion (around 1920)

This long building is where chickens and other birds are displayed. It has a hipped corrugated steel roof with skylights. Inside, there are two rows of special coops built in the 1940s. You can walk through aisles to see all the birds.

Heatley Hall (1939)

This is the biggest exhibition hall, about 58 meters long and 20 meters wide. It has two gabled roofs with special "lantern lights" on top for ventilation. The outside walls are made of green corrugated iron. There are large sliding doors on the sides for access. Inside, there are columns supporting the roof and a wooden floor. This hall was once a very popular dance venue.

Keiry Hall (around 1942)

This building has a low-pitched roof of corrugated steel. It was originally built by the Army as a storage building during World War II. The eastern wall is original, with concrete columns and timber framing. The other walls were rebuilt after Cyclone Althea. It has large roller doors on both sides.

Entrance Gates and Ticket Box (around 1940s)

The main entrance gates are at the corner of Ingham Road and Parkes Street. They are made of welded steel with a decorative design, including the Townsville Pastoral Association logo. There's also a ticket booth with a hipped roof and steel mesh. Only a few of the original turnstiles are still there.

Curley Bells (1920s-1930s)

These are special spectator stands named after their builder. They are made of welded steel pipes with eight levels of wooden seats. They were designed to be both steps and seats, giving great views of the events.

Stormwater Drains (around 1910-1920s)

There are two large underground drains that run through the showground. They are made of stone and concrete and help manage water flow from Castle Hill during heavy rains. These drains were even used as unofficial air raid shelters during World War II.

Stud Cattle Pavilion (around 1890s)

This long building is where special cattle are kept and shown. It's made of timber poles with a gable roof of corrugated steel. The sides have openings with steel mesh for light and air. Inside, there are rings to tie up the cattle. There are also small tack rooms for equipment.

The Dairy Pavilion (around 1939)

This building has a gable roof with additions on both sides. It's made of steel pipes and corrugated steel. Inside, there are pens for livestock, including smaller pens for calves. Next to it are open-air blue steel pipe stalls for animals.

Cattle Yards (around 1970)

There are many cattle yards with over 100 stalls. The fences are made of old rail tracks and steel piping. Each stall has a water trough. There are also concrete paths for people to walk through and see the animals.

Cattle Sales Arena (around 1970)

This is a special area next to the cattle yards where cattle and horses are sold. It has tiered seating around the sales pen and a raised platform for the auctioneer. There are also concrete loading ramps.

Horse Stalls (around 1970)

These stalls are next to the dairy pavilion. They are made from old rail tracks and steel pipes, with a corrugated steel roof. Large Weeping Fig trees provide shade for the horses.

Why the Showground is Important

The Townsville Showground is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's very important to Queensland's history and culture.

• It shows how Queensland's history developed: It has been a showground since 1882 and is a key part of the show circuit in Queensland. It helped grow farming and industry in North Queensland for over a century.
• It shows what a showground should look like: The Townsville Showground has all the main parts of a regional showground, like exhibition halls, grandstands, animal facilities, and gates. The 1901 grandstand was designed by a famous architectural firm, Tunbridge and Tunbridge, showing their quality work.
• It's beautiful and interesting: Many parts of the showground, like the grandstand, Heatley Hall, the animal pavilions, and the old Banyan trees, are visually appealing.
• It's important to the community: For generations, families in Townsville and North Queensland have loved coming to the annual show. The grandstand and Heatley Hall are special places where people watched events and met friends. It's also one of the few places where the work of women and children has been shown regularly since the late 1800s.
• It's linked to important groups: The showground has a strong connection with the Townsville Pastoral, Agricultural and Industrial Association. This group has worked hard since 1882 to help farming and industry grow in North Queensland.