Nestled at the bottom of Mount Remarkable in one of the most picturesque showgrounds in the state, volunteers of the Melrose Show are quietly working away in preparation for this year’s 100^th anniversary.

Sleeves rolled up, everyone is pitching in – young and old – preparing for an influx of exhibitors and visitors arriving for the town’s big annual event on Saturday, October 5.

There is signage to be erected, grass to be mowed and plenty of dust to be shifted to get the grounds looking spick and span.

Among the volunteers is Mt Remarkable Agricultural Society president Lachie McCallum.

He is the fourth generation of the McCallum family to take on the leadership, with his father Jeff (president 2003-2008), grandfather Ken (president 1967-1971) and great grandfather Les (1935-1948) all before him, and brother Cameron as current junior vice-president, set to step up behind him.

For the most of the year, Lachie is a diesel mechanic, a husband, dad to four, keen sportsman and active community person. But come showtime, Lachie steps up into another of his community roles and dons the president’s hat.

And it is all about community pride, tradition and the future for this unassuming country bloke.

“I get involved because there’s something about not wanting to let go of the tradition of the show that has been created by the generations before us,” he said.

“There’s way too much that gets lost from communities – you see schools close, pubs close and events finish up, and it would be a shame if we let our show go because we’d never get it back.”

In its heyday, crowds of 8000 people would roll into the showgrounds for the annual Melrose Show, with two special trains scheduled from Gladstone, via Crystal Brook and Port Pirie, to cater for its popularity.

Crowds are a little more modest these days, but thanks to the popularity of the Southern Flinders Ranges and Melrose’s mountain biking tourism, Lachie said it was still drawing crowds of visitors and locals alike.

“Being on the October long weekend, it’s popular with visitors,” he said.

“It’s a real family atmosphere, like most country shows are.”

Mt Remarkable Agricultural Society treasurer Sue McCallum (there’s that name again) agrees and says the Melrose hospitality and location are hard to beat, and with camping on-site it makes for a perfect weekend away.

“The show itself was described as the event of the year and people would come from everywhere just for the show,” she said.

“Right from the beginning, all the newspaper articles said it was the most picturesque ground in the Commonwealth, and there was a real family picnic atmosphere about the Melrose Show.

“It was a great social meeting and in those old newspaper articles it’s referred to as the picnic show of the north because people used to bring their picnics and sit up under the trees.

“These days, we have a lot of patrons come up from Adelaide with their kids and camp at the showgrounds.

“It’s a really great family day out because they get to see all the animals and interact with lots of different things here at our country show.”

A booming Melrose Show in 1932. Photo: Supplied

One hundred years ago, the Mt Remarkable Agricultural Society was formed when a group of locals banded together to purchase a small block of land known as Dorrington Park.

The parcel of land had been used as a sports ground – and still is today – and leased from the Angus family before the government of the day resumed the land and divided it into soldier settler blocks.

“A group of locals had the foresight to work really hard to buy the block of land so that a sports and recreation ground could be retained for the town,” Sue said.

“A lot of work and volunteer labour went into the purchase of the land and its development, with timber from the site used to build the original yards and buildings.

“The first show in 1917 was scheduled for October 17, but had to be postponed because the ground was under water and they couldn’t get the special train in for the event.”

There have been a few exceptional events stalling its progress over the years.

During World War II the show did not proceed, instead a sport meet was held to raise funds for the war effort.

In 1974 a bridge into the grounds washed away, and 2016 a tornado-type event forced a last-minute cancellation.

And of course, like so many community events, Covid stalled its progress in 2020 and 2021.

Horse judging at the Melrose Show with Mt Remarkable in the background, along with horse floats and camp ground. Photo: Supplied

But the Melrose Show has managed to stand the test of time and that same community spirit shown at its inception continues today, with local volunteers keeping the event rolling.

To mark the milestone 100^th year, a special centenary book will be launched in time for the show, celebrating its history and all the fun and festivities of the event.

A “then and now” machinery display will be a feature of this year’s show, along with an official opening by former local lad Paul Haines, who has succeeded in his career as a sports performance specialist.

A guest speaker evening, with a sports theme – tying back to the ground’s strong sport connection – will finish off the event.

And with all the fun of sideshow alley, food, entertainment, produce and animals, in its 100^th year, all is set for one of the best shows Melrose has ever hosted.

Check out the Mt Remarkable Agricultural Society Inc – Melrose Show on Facebook for updates on this year’s event.