Community
12 July, 2024
C’down Showgrounds to share history
CAMPERDOWN’S Pastoral and Agricultural Society (P and A Society) is one of 42 community organisations sharing in $350,000 of funding through the State Government’s Local History Grants program.
The Camperdown P and A Society received $2012.90 to fund a series of plaques for the showgrounds to mark 150 years of the showgrounds.
The project, ‘From Boulders and Bracken’, will see historical photos, old titles and newspaper articles put on display around the showgrounds.
P and A Society member Cheryl McMahon said the eight-hectare grounds have cultural and landscape significance for Camperdown.
“When the land was first purchased by the Hampden and Heytesbury P and A Society in 1881 for £20 per acre, it was described as a shambles of boulders, fallen trees and ferns,” she said.
“This project is about placing six interpretive signs around the showgrounds buildings and areas of significance, detailing how land was purchased and developed over the years by the local farmers and pastoralists to promote the local agriculture industry and provide cultural events for the community.
“These signs will promote an understanding that these grounds were developed and managed by many volunteers over many years, and that the legacy to the community is a beautiful venue for local people and visitors to enjoy.
“The Camperdown P and A Society celebrated its 150th Agricultural Show at the showgrounds in October 2022. These plaques will be an acknowledgment of this milestone as well as providing information and history about the grounds.”
Ms McMahon said she hoped the project would increase interest in the showgrounds and draw new volunteers for the P and A Society, as well as change some misconceptions about the grounds.
“Many people believe that the area is crown land and maintained by the local shire, but the fact is the area has been under the management and ownership of an agricultural society since 1881,” she said.
“The society has many old photos, copies of old titles and newspaper articles that need to be shared rather than stored in cupboards.
“These plaques will promote an understanding and respect of the showgrounds and show that the area has always played an important part in the community.
“The showgrounds are a record of how agriculture and communities change over time, from the original dry stonewall and the blacksmith hinges and latches in the swine pens to nowadays the wool room is the local Mens Shed and the exhibition pavilion is now the home of the Corangamite Arts group.”
Minister for Government Services Gabrielle Williams announced the grant recipients recently, with projects funded including digitization works, memorial websites, digital histories, oral histories and archiving projects.
Ms Williams said all the projects funded under the grants program would ensure the history of communities is preserved.
“The projects we are supporting through the Local History Grants Program will celebrate Victoria’s history and preserve it for future generations,” she said.
“Community groups across the state do important work showcasing our local history, and we are proud to support them through the Local History Grants Program.”
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