Woodstock Memorial Show, 5 August 2022

The annual show is an important part of the cultural life in the small village of Woodstock and surrounds, and has been for decades now. The show provides the community with the opportunity to reflect on its values and aspirations; celebrate achievements ranging from excellence in prime lamb breeding to the beauty of a delicate piece of embroidery; and enjoy a break from the routine of everyday life. 

History tells us the story of a 22 year old treasurer Paul Dresser challenging his father, Joe Dresser, in 1971 that an $11.53 profit was a ‘bloody’ disaster and for the amount of volunteer labour contributed to coordinate the event, the show would be much more profitable having individual members donate $5 to the beneficiary, the Woodstock Memorial Hall, than actually running the show. Young Paul was ‘slammed’ for his comments by his father Joe – Joe stating that it’s got nothing to do with the money! It’s about getting the community together, it’s a social thing, and it’s about bringing farmers to the village and seeing others, if you don’t have that you have nothing!

To this day the show continues as a place of work and leisure, education and entertainment. The show reflects a longstanding commitment to a set of core values: pride in traditional rural industries, competition, collaboration, progress and the interdependence of town and country. It gives local community groups the Woodstock Swimming Pool, and the Woodstock CWA, the opportunity to raise funds for their benefit on show day and contributes annually to the ongoing overhead costs of the Woodstock Memorial Hall, and in more recent times has facilitated the ongoing restoration of the Walli Memorial Hall.

People of all ages and from all walks of life, whether city or country, enjoy attending this annual event. While the young (and young at heart) look forward to the fairy floss and a dagwood dog, show bags of goodies and the fun of sideshow alley, other people enjoy the agricultural and industrial exhibits, entertainment or main ring features. Many in the community of course are involved as exhibitors, entrants or judges in show competitions. 

One thing that’s for sure – there is something for everyone at Woodstock on Sunday September 4.  Audiences’ will be captivated by the action of the traditional woodchopping event, speed shearing, chainsaw racing, vintage tractor pulls, ring events, working heavy horses, cattle and sheep, wool, and pavilion exhibits. A working blacksmith will also be demonstrating throughout the day. Visitors to the show will be able to witness all of these events in close proximity to the action at no additional cost. 

There will be loads of fun activities for the entire family. For Dad there is loads of horsepower, diesel and dust. For Mum, traditional pavilion exhibits and a market laneway, plus coffee! For the children, pony rides, Troppo Bob’s Magic Show will run throughout the day,  and Dinkum Dinosaurs will entertain with prehistoric puppets.  There will also be face painting, horse drawn carriage rides, sideshow alley and loads of free novelty events! A feature attraction this year will see the RuffTrack crew. RuffTrack is an awesome youth program based at the RuffTRACK Farm near Riverstone. A fully registered charity, helping young people (12-17 years old) who have disengaged with school and the community to give them skills, education, a sense of self worth and reconnecting them with their community. The crew will display their dog training skills and prowess on the K9 Superwall.

Something for Nothing

You have to admit it, everyone loves something for nothing especially when it’s something great!

Woodstock Memorial Show is endeavouring to accommodate that one thing with SOMETHING FOR NOTHING!

On show day ALL CHILDREN under 15 enter the show for FREE. The show committee is conscious of the expensive exercise of entertaining a family into today’s society.

Children’s novelty events kick off at 10.45am with free entry, sack races, three legged races and much more! Troppo Magic Show runs throughout the day and it’s free to pull up a chair and relive the world of magic. Dinkum Dinosaurs with their prehistoric puppetry and dancing TRex. A designated children’s play area. Polished and primed stroll through the car, ute and bike show and shine. 

Front row positions available at the tractor pulling, woodchopping, chainsaw racing, speed shearing, or ring events. These events can entertain any member of the family for hours!

Market Lane Way – Make It, Bake It, Grow It, Show It

The Woodstock Show will have its very own Market Laneway once again at this year’s Show, celebrating and showcasing our local producers, growers and makers within the region!

Show members are encouraging everyone to bring along their market baskets and fill them with local fruit and vegetables from Galea Fruit and Vegetables, plants and homewares from children’s clothing and handmade accessories, plus much, much more.

Swing by market laneway on the 4 September 2022 and support and love local!  

For further details on all stall holders, visit the Woodstock Memorial Show Facebook or Instagram pages.

Pop Up Pantry

Continuing with the theme Make it, Bake it, Grow it, Show it, the Woodstock Memorial Show will have its very own ‘Pop Up Pantry’ at this year’s Show!

The stall will be filled with handmade relishes, jams, sauces, home grown fruit, vegetables , eggs, plants and cuttings all cooked and grown by the Woodstock community.

All the proceeds from the ‘Pop Up Pantry’ will go directly to the Woodstock and District Progress Association to assist with community focused projects. Visit the ‘Pop Up Pantry’ on the 4 September 2022, and support community, located in the front of the Walli Hall and buy a relish or two!

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