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SPALDING |
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SPALDING |
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The
Mid North Games is an annual sporting festival held in many small
country towns in the Mid North region of South Australia. Unusually
for a sports festival the Games are held over a number of weeks so
that the accommodation capacity of these towns can cope with the influx
of visitors. The Games have been held each year sine 1991, usually
based around Easter and taking in 2 weekends either side of Easter. One of the enjoyable features of the Mid North Games is that they cater for all standards of competitors and all ages as well. The youngest participant we have had was a young swimmer aged 6 and the oldest was a bowler aged in his late eighties. In the past years The Mid North Games has averaged approximately 2000 competitors and those competitors come from all parts of South Australia and some from interstate. A lot of competitors return each year and report that the reason they do that is that they enjoy the wonderful country hospitality and the excellent sporting facilities. Some of the towns included in The Mid North Games are Burra, Clare, Eudunda, Jamestown, Riverton and Spalding. Contact:
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The Spalding Rodeo has now become an important date on the Rodeo Circuit throughout Australia. The history of rodeos in Spalding had its origin on June 6th 1949, when members of a local committee and other interested residents gathered at a public meeting to explore ways of funding a proposed War Memorial Building in the township of Spalding. After deciding on a Rodeo as the principal fundraiser for the building, those at the meeting formed a Committee with Mr GR Neill as inaugural President. The first Rodeo was held on the Spalding Oval (the site of the Rodeo this year) on 29th October, 1949. One of Australia's outback legends RM Williams, of Adelaide was asked to help the Committee organize the day. The necessary facilities were built, including stockyards and safety fences, on the oval. Horses were bought or hired for the Event, while the Ladies War Memorial Committee provided luncheon. The Rodeo which was followed by a dance in the Spalding District Hall, proved to be a huge success, making a net profit of 270 pounds, or $540, a very handsome sum in those days! In 1951, the Spalding Rodeo attracted 1500 adults and 490 children, with gate takings being 324 pounds, or $648 and a net profit for the day of 451 pounds ($902). The showmen's Guild was invited to conduct sideshows at the 1954 event and these became a regular and colourful spectacle in the ensuing years. The South Australian Buckjumping Championships were held at the Spalding Rodeo in 1956, with the first prize winner taking home 65 pounds, or $130. In 1958, a polo match replaced the rodeo, but the event returned in 1959 and 1960. However, the Rodeo in those two years was run at an overall loss, (although the gate money was more than 478 pounds $956) in 1959. A meeting of the organising committee, held in December 1960, decided against holding any further Rodeos, and the yards and other facilities were sold. The proceeds, together with the Committee's credit balance were distributed among the local cricket, football, tennis, swimming and bowling clubs. After an absence of some 41 years Rodeo's have again became a feature in Spalding with successful Rodeos held annually since 2001. For further information go to Spalding Rodeo Website or contact: President: Vaughan Semler
(08)88452173 semler@capri.net.au SPALDING RODEO COMMITTEE
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