This year marks the 100th anniversary of the rotunda at the Yarrawonga Showgrounds which has over the years, and will again this year, be used for the bar on October 4 and 5.
The rotunda is a place where familiar faces, as well as new ones, can catch up with a quiet ale or two whilst patrons can also observe the much needed refurbishment of the weathervane.
Local historian and Yarrawonga Mulwala Agricultural and Pastoral Association member Joan Thom has researched the local show and found that the rotunda was built by James Milne Olley in 1924 who was a Plumber/Tinsmith /tank maker and a member of the Agricultural Show Committee at the time.
“His business was situated firstly next to the Royal Mail Hotel and then moved to the corner of McNally and Belmore Streets where Khub is situated now,” Ms Thom said.
“Milne (as he was known) was a breeder of poultry and exhibited in the shows of the district.
“Unfortunately, there was never an official opening of the rotunda and it is now difficult to find it specifically mentioned in the show society minutes of 1924 as it was a part of the general development of the showgrounds. Originally it was built to be a bar and never a band rotunda.
“However, records show that Mr R Johnson had the honour of being the first publican to use the circular booth in shape resembling a band rotunda in 1924.
“This building was surmounted by a wind indicator that was designed and erected by Milne.”
A Yarrawonga Chronicle clipping from 1924 speaks of the aspect that sets the Yarrawonga Showgrounds rotunda apart from others, the sheep weathervane instead of the traditional rooster.
Part of the 1924 article reads: “Why that gentleman forsook the proverbial cock in favour of a sheep (seeing that his tastes are decidedly more than the feathered tribe than with the golden fleece) we are at a loss to know.
“But his artistic abilities left little to be desired so far as the sheep is concerned. One lady was heard to exclaim ‘but why a sheep for a publicans booth?’
“In the way back country I came from you go those joints when you want to be fleeced.”
Over the last number of years the weathervane has lost its top so the Yarrawonga Mulwala Agricultural and Pastoral Association decided as part of its centenary, that the rotunda should receive a birthday present by reinstalling a new sheep on the top whilst freshening it all up.
There is so much to see and do at this years Yarrawonga Mulwala Agricultural Show so make sure to visit the showgrounds on October 5 and 6 and join in on all of the fun.
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