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.
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, 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 3. Audiences’ will be captivated by the action of the traditional woodchopping event, speed shearing, vintage tractor pulls, ring events, working heavy horses, cattle and sheep, wool, and pavilion exhibits. 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, Miss Laura’s Magic Show will run throughout the day. Old Kentucky Animal Nursery for the up close and personal experience with something cute and cuddly. There will also be face painting, horse drawn carriage rides, sideshow alley and loads of free novelty events!
Swift Stunt Simulators will be located in the higher decibel end of the ground for those interested in wheelie action. A stationary stunt machine focusing on wheelies!
A feature attraction this year will be Peter Hodge from Victoria with his camels. FREE CAMEL RIDES throughout the day, something not witnessed or experienced in the village before.
Female Woodchoppers to Line-Up at Woodstock
The Woodstock Memorial Show Woodchopping event offers almost $4000 in prizemonies. This year the event has attracted a strong field of champion woodchoppers including Stihl Timbersports Champion Brad DeLosa .
Also lining up to compete in an inaugural event for the Woodstock Show will be an all female chopping event. In true “Matilda’s” style these ladies will be out to show that they can compete at a level equal to that of the men, in a sport that has been dominated by males for so long.
So be sure to be there to see these “Chopping Chicks” in action on Show Day.
Walli Hall celebrates one hundred years
The centrepiece of the Woodstock Showground and standing proud is the Walli Memorial Hall.
The hall was built in 1923 to commemorate the men from the Walli area who served during World War 1.
On 18 September 1923 at the dedication of the new hall a spokesman for the Walli Memorial Hall Trustees declared, “ The hall had been built with two objectives in view, to keep green the memory of departed heroes and as a rendezvous for the adolescent population of the district”, according to a report in the “Cowra Free Press”.
Today, the hall is the main pavilion for the annual Woodstock Memorial Show and is used throughout the year for various functions. The hall was relisted as a War Memorial in 2016 and still serves our community as the original trustees intended.
The hall has been moved twice. In 1957 it was moved to a site adjacent to the Woodstock Memorial Hall and in 1981 to its present location. The settlement of Walli has disappeared but was within the Woodstock area, so the monument is still pertinent to the community.
The list of honour was taken from the original roll that hung in the Walli Hall when it was located in Walli, and is now kept in the Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Hall.
On Sunday September 3 we will celebrate the centenary of the hall. Special guest Mrs Betty Dennis an original Walli resident will be performing some special tasks during the day. Approximate time of official ceremony 11.30am.
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 11am with free entry, lots of old school fun with sack races, three legged races and much more! Miss Laura Magic Show runs throughout the day and it’s free to pull up a chair and relive the world of magic. Old Kentucky Animal Nursery for the up close and personal experience with small creatures.
Come along an join in the DAD of the DAY event and take a punt with COW PAT LOTTERY!
Front row positions available at the tractor pulling, woodchopping, speed shearing, or ring events. These events can entertain any member of the family for hours!
Market Laneway – 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 homewares from children’s clothing, home baked goods and handmade accessories, plus much, much more.
Swing by market laneway on the 3 September 2023 and support and love local!
For further details on all stall holders, visit the Woodstock Memorial Show Facebook or Instagram pages or go to : www.woodstockshow.com.au
