Over 5000 people. That’s how many attended the Blacktown Showground’s third show in 1922. A big success they called it. The Blacktown Showground wasn’t always the vibrant hub it is today. It started much smaller. Imagine a humble paddock near the railway station. That’s where the Blacktown & District Agricultural Society held its first show in 1920. Poultry and pigeons filled the back of the Blacktown School of Arts. Sideshows and wood chopping entertained crowds in a nearby field. The Blacktown Showground’s current location was acquired in 1922. A trotting track was added. Then came the official opening. A significant event even attracting J T ‘Jack’ Lang the NSW Treasurer. Lang later became Labor Premier. He was dismissed in 1932. The Blacktown Showground’s history is closely tied to the Blacktown Agricultural Society. Presidents often served long terms. Jos Hicks led from 1924 to 1939. His son Ken took over until 1968. C K Gallen followed until 2003. Jim Simpson a long-standing member played many roles. He was Treasurer Senior Vice President and Secretary. He was also a steward at many shows. His father James Simpson Snr helped found the society. World War 2 briefly interrupted the show. The army used the Blacktown Showground as a maintenance depot. The show resumed afterwards and continues to this day. The Blacktown Showground remains a vital community space. It hosts festivals cultural events and activities. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Blacktown. It’s a place where history and community thrive. A place where over 5000 people once celebrated. A legacy that continues to grow.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to