Royal Show status for anniversary event

West Otago A and P Society president John Herbert (centre) with past presidents Charlie Davis (left) and Murray Robertson (right) at the showgrounds in Tapanui. Photo by Helena de Reus.

The West Otago A and P Society will celebrate 100 years with a Royal Show in Tapanui on November 19.

Society president John Herbert, of Heriot, is following in the footsteps of his great-great uncle.

James Laidlaw (J.L.) Herbert was only 24 when he became president of the society with its first show in Kelso, West Otago in 1911.

J.L. Herbert's life was cut short in 1916, during World War 1, but his widow Gladys remained a solid contributor to the society.

She showed stock at the West Otago A and P Show, securing the most points in the sheep, cattle, and draught horse sections, winning the Todd Bros and Co Cup, and later the Brooksdale Romney Marsh Cup for the best-presented Romney sheep.

Kelso, once a thriving township beside the Pomahaka River, was based on dairying.

In its heyday of the 1960s and 1970s, Kelso boasted a population thought to be near 300. It had a three-teacher primary school, shops and hotels, and a railway line ran through the centre of town. A large rural centre, complete with saleyards, was a focal point, as were the Kelso Presbyterian Church, the local telephone exchange and a town hall.

Showing stock had been a pastime in the district from the late 1870s, and in 1910 a group of farmers created the West Otago A and P Society. For the group's first show in November 1911, special stock trains were run from Waikaka Valley, Waipahi, and Gore. These trains were unloaded the night before, allowing exhibitors to arrive at the ground and tend to their stock in the morning.

Two massive floods in the space of two years sealed the township's fate. The "100-year flood" of 1978 swept through Kelso but the town was rebuilt, only to be wiped off the map when another major flood struck in 1980.

After the cleanup in 1980, government agencies and local catchment boards prevented any further building in the flooded area and Kelso, to all intents and purposes, ceased to exist. The show temporarily moved to Gore.

The November 23 issue of the Tapanui Courier in 1978 hailed the West Otago show as a "great success despite [the] change of venue" with record entries of 1832, beating the previous record of 1664 entries in 1976.

"Looking over the sleekly-groomed horses and some of New Zealand's finest beef cattle in the grand parade last Saturday, it was hard to imagine that exactly five weeks ago many of these people and their families had either been struggling to save their stock, some even their homes and possessions or those of their neighbours, from what has become known as the 'Historical Flood'."

In 1981, the West Otago A and P Society decided to find a new permanent venue and chose to share the Tapanui racecourse with the local racing club, selling its Kelso grounds for $9500.

The first West Otago show at the site was held later that year, with good weather and record gate takings. The committee spent many hours converting the racecourse into a showground.

Although the society celebrates 100 years of existence, the Royal Show will not be its 100th show, because of three years of recess during World War 2.

While the Kelso township no longer exists, many in the society are related to the group's original members or have several generations of membership.

The West Otago show is the first show of the southern region.

It has a strong horse section which the society said was growing year by year. The children's section is especially popular and is a great chance for the younger members of the district to show their animal, baking and craft skills.

To celebrate 100 years, organisers say, the Royal Show promises to be "bigger and better" than before.

Member Lynne Raynbird said the honour of being awarded a Royal Event by the Royal Agricultural Society meant up to three sections of the show could be awarded special ribbons and medals. The three sections selected will be equestrian, beef cattle and sheep, resulting in an increase in entries.

The major drawcard for the show will be the Topp Twins, who will perform two 40-minute shows.

Society president John Herbert said the group wanted an act that would appeal to all age groups, and was very happy to secure the comedy duo. This year's show was expected to host more than 100 stalls, filling three marquees.

Society member and former president Ruth Stiven has written a book about the group's 100 years, which will be on sale at the show.

West Otago A and P Show, Tapanui Showgrounds, November 19.

helena.dereus@odt.co.nz