THE MOLONG SHOW - IT'S A TRADITION

Sunday 17 September 2023

A special invitation to Molong and District residents; Manildra and District residents; Cumnock and District residents, Cudal and District Residents, Orange and District residents - Cabonne Wide residents to come together at the Molong Show.

Molong Show Alert

by President Helen Crisp

The Molong Show is only two months away – yes two months away – HAVE you got a copy of the schedule yet.

The schedule is out there and a copy can be picked up from Molong Newsagency and Lime and Stone and a couple of other locations around Molong.

There is something in the schedule for everybody – from craft and cooking to creating writing. The show is a fantastic opportunity for the kids, and kids at heart (the adults) to showcase their talents, and have some fun along the way.

This year the Molong Show Society decided to keep the schedule simple. We decided not to approach Molong and surrounding businesses for advertising because businesses are still recovering after the hardships of Covid and the major flooding events in 2022. There is also no message from the Show Society – why – because we figure that the show will speak for itself.

We are planning bigger and better things for 2024 which, if we can pull it off, will be even more exciting. Whilst we can only hint that something really exciting is being planned we really need your support for 2023 – so come along on the 17th of September, 2023, and have some fun.

If you cannot locate a copy of the schedule please don’t hesitate to contact us via email on molong. show@gmail.com and we will email you the section you are interested in.

2023 A whole new committee and more helping hands

The annual Molong Show has a long history of showcasing the district's best produce and exploring the latest agricultural innovations. Volunteers, committee members have come and gone over that many decades and generations of residents. Colin and Heather Woodhouse and their teams have kept the local show going for many long years and faced many challenges including drought, economic downturns, flooding rains, COVID etc. We congratulate and give thanks to previous show organisers, committees and volunteers for their decades of determination and loyalty in keeping Molong's annual show going.

In 2023 a number of local residents, many who had returned 'home' to run family properties and businesses - and new residents - came together to offer a helping hand to upgrade the local show to keep it going for another 159 years. Many committee members represent family members of previous committees, members, organisers and volunteers who did their bit to keep the show going.

President: Helen Crisp

Senior Vice President and Public Officer: Tim Sullivan

Secretary: Jill Pennisi

Vice Presidents: Lesley Bye, Jo-Anne Lyons, Sam Kirby, Stu Hobbs

Memories of the Molong Show. The Express set out to find out what some of our lovely senior residents remembered about their love of the Molong Show. What better place to start than at the Bells Lane Molong UPA Centre, Prunus Lodge where residents love to talk about their favourite local places and local events.

Ivy Barrett (nee Bennett) (right) at 96 years of age has many wonderful memories of her time as a born and bred local and her life as a member of a proud local orchardist/farming family.

"I remember my mother would enter our grapes (white and black table grapes) in the show competition. She would take a packing box and design the different coloured grapes into a star pattern. It always looked lovely. The Molong Show was held during March back in those days so our orchard had plenty of grapes, apples and other fruits in season to enter.

"I often entered my needlework and knitting in the Pavillion and usually won ribbons.My mother also won ribbons. Our family members and our neighbours also took part in the show competitions.

"I also won ribbons for my boiled pudding and fruit cake."

Ivy's family can vouch for her enviable cooking skills. Ivy also loved the merry-goround rides. "The show was something we all looked forward to" said Ivy. "It's a tradition that we have all loved participating in."

Treasurer: Bruce King

Chief Pavilion Steward: Debbie Halls

Chief Ground Steward: Lynn Rogers

Publicity Officer: Megan Peffer

Representatives for Western Group: Colin Woodhouse and Gordon Welsh

Advisory Committee: Ness Sawtell, Kate Redfern

Committee Members: Brett Murdoch, Dougal Bowman, Jane Quigley, Paul Evans

Pat Monaghan (photographed left) smiles, very happily, when she remembers one of her favourite Molong events - the Molong Show.

"Because our family didn't have a car - we rarely went to the show. But each and every year we saved our pennies and sixpences very hard to be able to buy something if we went (to the show).

"My sister Margaret would walk me through the Pavillion and describe the entries in the flower competitions.

"At home we had a lovely garden full of all kinds of plants and flowers. We often gave what we grew, special things, to other people so that they could enter them in the show.

"We often gave some of the pumpkins we grew. They were huge. I think people won a number of competitions for the biggest pumpkins with the huge ones we grew in our vegie garden.

"The same with our Jam Melons - I remember one time we grew a huge one in our garden that ended up at the show.

"Maureen Kirkwood often took me to the show. We would go on out the day before show day and take a look in the pavillion. We loved looking at the plants and the art - and the flowers and the lovely floral art displays.

"It was such a lovely outing and something different to do in town. Something to look forward to every year.

"I loved eating the pink fairy floss and the those saveloys coated in batter and sauce.

"We loved the lovely fresh salad meal and sweets served by Heather (Woodhouse) and the ladies in the food pavillion.

"I loved to dress up for the show and always wore a dress - a good one. And jewellery. And, I loved catching up with people at the show and seeing them again.

"Yes, I loved the Molong Show from the time I was a little kid.

"I will never forget the show."