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Picture of Marburg Show in the 1950s

Looking back at the history of the Marburg Agricultural & Industrial Association, I felt that it could be separated into three periods - The early years, the post-war period and the recent years.
From information available, it would seem that the A. & I Association was founded in 1911 with the first Show held in 1912. However, earlier in the late 19th century, small displays of farm produce and ploughing competitions were arranged.
Then in 1887 the Marburg, Kirchheim (Haigslea), Glamorgan Vale and Back Plains (Minden) Show Society held a magnificent Show. Over 3,000 people (according to that great authority - the "Q.T.") attended this Show and included Gov. Musgrave, the English Lord & Lady Brassey and a Mr. J.C. Heussler M.L.C. who (I presume) had been the Qld. Govt. agent in Europe, where he had encouraged many German agricultural workers to migrate to Queensland. The Farmers Association assisted with this event and subsequent Shows were held annually, at least until 1891, when the fifth was held. From then to 1910 information is not available.

When the first Show was held in 1912, I believe it was on this site where several lots of land were later bought in 1914. A hall, horse stables, pig stys and poultry sheds were soon built to cater for exhibitors. Special rail services were arranged for the Marburg line (just newly opened) not only for show patrons but also for sideshows and exhibitors which were railed in. This service continued for many years.
The Show Society (meetings were held on Tuesday night before full moon) was also something of a militant force in community affairs. e.g. it led a move for a new Post Office, improved railway facilities such as a weighbridge and station platform, council affairs to do with dingo scalps, tree removal and weed eradication. It also co-operated with the Dept. of Agriculture and Stock (now D.P.I.) in promoting the betterment of the pig and dairy industries,' sponsored trips to Gatton College and arranged the Annual Stallion Parade.
In 1920 the Dept. of Public Instruction (Education Dept.) hired the Show Hall as temporary school premises while the Rural School was being built. There were fine displays by the Rural School at the Show in this period. At this time members of the Society participated in District displays at the Brisbane and Sydney Royal and this continues to this present day.
During this early period a number of flower shows. were held. The most notable being in 1924 when the Governor of Qld. opened the Show. On a number of occasions Sports Days were held on Easter Monday when a great variety of events were held.
It was back in 1916 that first approaches were made by the Marburg Cricket Club to put down a cricket pitch in ring centre. This association with the Cricket Club continues to this day (80 years later) with the present Marburg Cricket Club having three wickets on the grounds and contributing greatly to the maintenance and improvement of the whole showgrounds for which the Society is extremely grateful.

Some interesting facts of this period are -
(1) That cars had to be parked 20 yards back from the ring.
(2) Bookies (fee £2.0.0 ) were allowed to work the events on Show day.
Financial hard ship is not new to any Show Society and so it was in 1918 there were complaints of high printing costs. At this time the Society was always working on bank overdraft. To overcome this problem, a move was made in 1914 to convert the 10½ acres Freehold to Crown Reserve for which it was hoped to receive £240.0.0.
The move was eventually successful around 1930. At this time there appears to have been a deal of division in the Society, shown by close votes, newspaper reports of public meetings and arguments. Consequently support dwindled and low attendance at meetings occurred.
In 1936 there was no Annual Meeting •because of a lack of a quorum. Later that year the Society disbanded and a new Society of the same name elected a Management Committee of Trustees and Society members to manage affairs. Next year, 1937, the Reserve was mortgaged to enable the Silver Jubilee Show to be staged.
However more difficulties faced the committee to disband on 24-2-38. The Trustees were requested and agreed to take over the debt which they eventually liquidated in the difficult years of World War 2. The Trustees maintained hall and land but were forced to sell, in 1941, pig and poultry pens to raise funds.
The hall was used by many organizations in this period. Electricity was installed in the mid 30's. This was a great improvement on the gaslights installed in 1926 after considering them for a few years. In this period several operators used the hall to show movies for which a projection room was built on the eastern end.
During 1944 the Trustees sponsored a public meeting to form the "Hall Improvement Committee". The purpose of the committee was to raise funds for extension to the hall. Because of the war effort this was a very difficult period to raise funds and build extensions. Their efforts were rewarded by receiving a good response from the public and local patriotic organizations.
After three years enough funds were available to increase floor space about 75%. This was not the first extension, there being work done in 1928 on the stage end. In 1966 a further extension was made on the eastern end refurbishing, offices and kitchen.
At this time the "Marburg dances" were really popular with large, crowds present nearly every Saturday night, sometimes with two bands playing continuous music. With the interior sparked up with coloured lights this Saturday night program has continued to this present day. These fund raising nights have been the powerhouse for improvements here and also for many other community groups. Another proposed extension was planned in the mid 70's but failed to materialize because of high quotes and lack of guarantors. A period of renovations then took place when many buildings were improved so much that they were as good as new when finished.

It was in 1946 that moves were made to reform the Show Society. People were reluctant to take Office, it being five months to obtain a President and Secretary and then, by the time eighteen months were past, due to personal and tragic circumstances there was another President and Secretary.
After these initial troubles the Committee settled down and put on successful Shows in the following years', enlarging the schedule to cater for exhibitors as the Showground grew in size and strength. Improvements made to the luncheon booth in 1953, bar in 1955, toilet block in 1956, softdrink stall in
1958, woodchops' section in 1959. Dairy classes enlarged in 1961. Junior Farmers staged displays beginning in 1955 included some one-man farm exhibits. They also planted trees in 1958.
As in all Marburg Shows since the 1950's the Trotting program has been the highlight. There have been consistent and generous sponsors which together with provision of better facilities in the 1970's and 1980's has drawn many trotting enthusiasts to Marburg. With the Marburg Pacing Association Inc. using the grounds regularly for trials this section has gone from strength to strength. For the future we could well use the words of a famous showman - "You ain't seen noth'in yet"
Other ring events have continued to expand over the years. There has been, and still are, top class performances in every part of the ring program i.e. Ponies, Hunts, Hacks, Bloods etc.
Because of the increased dimension of the Show in the recent years more land was purchased with several additions bought from neighboring properties - Kerle's, Smith's, Simmons', Mohr's and Holt's.
Extra buildings were acquired. The first being a new Dining Pavilion in 1977, it being a relocated R.A.A.F. building. With the help of government subsidy (usually 40%) many improvements were made such as new toilets, sealed roadways, new pavilions for Birds, Farm Produce, Fruit and Vegetables and Horticulture in 1992 and Needlework & Handicraft in 1995 and water and drainage facilities.
The number of classes in all sections has increased. Competition winners at Marburg Show in some cases have gone on to be R.N.A. winners, just as they did in the early years. There are Members in this Society who have considerable expertise in their field and have judged in many parts of Australia. The beginning of their careers was here on these grounds at this Show.