Directory

Local History Sites

Show Society Hall (1920)

Description

Local Show Society formed

The Lowood Show Society was formed in 1907 as "The Lowood and Tarampa Pastoral and Agricultural Association" and celebrated its centenary in 2007.

The original showground was situated on a government grant of 30 acres, near the Lowood rifle range and formerly part of the old Tarampa Estate, close to the railway at Clarendon.

Volunteers took only four months to clear the land, build a dam and erect fences and buildings. Shows were held there from 1907 to 1918.

Showground moves to town

In 1919 the Show Society acquired the first 12½ acres of its present site in Lowood from C.H.D. Lindemann and shows have been held there ever since. Lindemann's house was used as the first pavilion. 

Show Hall built

The two storey Show Hall, with its special Crow's Ash dance floor, was completed in 1920 at a cost of about £700. It was opened by Show Patroness Mrs Edith Lumley-Hill.

Becomes a movie theatre

In 1926 the newly-formed 'Lowood Picture Company' installed projection equipment in the Show Hall and movies were shown there until Lowood's first custom-built picture theatre opened in Walters and Sons new building in Railway Street.

Popular with locals all year round

Over the years, the Show Hall has been popular for dances, amateur theatre productions, card nights, numerous social and community activities, and for annual Show exhibits and the Show Ball.