This week’s image is an original Grand Juvenile Industrial Exhibition certificate for the event that took place in Bathurst during November 1881. It was awarded to Maude M.E. Arthur for one of her entries, in this case for crochet work – wool in Section A, Class 19.
The 1881 exhibition ran from November 2 to 9 in the Bathurst Showground pavilions. Three large marquees were also used to cope with many of the 3500 exhibits.
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These marquees were illuminated by gas to allow the public to visit and view the various exhibitions and displays at night.
Local residents and politicians considered the Juvenile Industrial Exhibitions as very beneficial in stimulating industry and the ingenuity of the rising generations.
In March 1881, Mr H.A. Crouch and Mr C.E.B. Maybury laid before the Bathurst School of Arts Committee the project that was to be carried to fruition.
The idea was taken up with so much spirit that, in the short term, explanatory schedules were issued and various arrangements made.
Other than local entries, a large proportion of the juvenile exhibits came from Sydney. The suburb of Balmain was largely represented.
Western Australia and some from other colonies participated in the first year.
The committee wisely invited Sir Alfred Stephen, C.B., K.C.M.G., M.L.C., the Lieutenant-Governor, as the patron, a job he accepted.
Funds of £150 were collected in the district and though this was not expected to pay the whole of expenses incurred, the committee expected the income from gate money would more than cover expenses.
The ladies and gentlemen of the committee worked for many days on the exhibition building and surrounding grounds, transforming the 10 acres inside the showground fence into a sea of booths and marquees.
There were stretches of white canvas and decorations of green wreaths and fluttering pennons, making it look like a huge fair.
The New South Wales Government Railways allowed cheap steam train tickets for parents and children to come to Bathurst to see the exhibition.
Horse-drawn transport was kept busy every day from the railway station to the showground.
The Bathurst Choir and the assembled school-children sang two verses of the 100th Psalm at the official opening.
Mr Rutherford read an address to Sir Alfred Stephen, who replied in a short and appropriate speech. He concluded by declaring the exhibition open to the public, amid prolonged applause.
The committee organised entertainment for each evening. The first evening’s program was suitably illuminated with instrumental music and scientific experiments which attracted a large, pleasing crowd.
With the week’s activities fully planned, the City Band gave a concert on the Wednesday and the Bathurst Band played in the afternoon the following day.
The City Band again performed a pleasing program of popular melodies that night.
A quantity of electrical apparatus was sent by superintendent of telegraphs Mr E.C. Cracknell to display. There was also a Siemens electrical light machine, which was used to illuminate the buildings.
Government printer T. Richards forwarded an excellent exhibit from his establishment which included bookbinding, printing and engraving.
The Technical College sent a number of working models.
The following year, on Wednesday evening, February 1, 1882, the medal presentation ceremony took place in connection with the recent Bathurst Juvenile Industrial Exhibition.
It was held in the School of Arts, where the prizes were presented by Sir Alfred Stephen. There were bronze and silver medals, as well as a number of handsome certificates, as seen in our photo.