December 1st, 2025Local History with Natalie Pool
The Kingston Grandstand – and tales of travel 
The Smeaton, Springhill and Bullarook Agricultural Society had its origins at Smeaton, having formed in April 1859.
Fast forward 40-odd years and the Ballarat Star newspaper, dated November 7, 1902, records details of the grandstand.
“A long-felt want has been supplied by the erection of a fine grandstand at one side of the ring, and the ladies of the district who were mainly instrumental in the raising of the necessary funds £300, deserve the warmest thanks not only of the society, but of every supporter of it, for the successful consummation of their efforts.
“There is seating accommodation provided for about 350 people, and underneath are an extensive bar and a couple of small rooms, which are sure to prove very convenient.”
In 1922, 20 years later, a new showground site had been purchased at Kingston near the railway station, and the land had been laid out by the shire engineer Mr William Henry Gore.
A meeting was called and working bees organised for the transportation to the Kingston site. They began in earnest at Smeaton Showgrounds with all buildings, fencing, animal stalls and pens being relocated to the new site, including the grandstand.
The question is how the infrastructure from the Smeaton site was transported to the Kingston site. The answer is not an easy one, or is it?
The Kingston Agricultural Society website states that the buildings were towed by a Handley Page steam engine as does Peter Butters’ article in the Ballarat Courier in 2007.
But on digging a little deeper I found that Handley Page was a British aircraft designer during both World Wars, with no links to steam engines, and therefore that theory could possibly be laid to rest.
The following appears to be a probable answer.
Newspaper articles in early August 1922 stated that a day for carting would be arranged. The Ballarat Star, dated August 19, 1922 goes into a little more detail reporting there was “a very good attendance of workers, with the result that the demolition effected was very satisfactory, there being much that could be done to get the material ready for removal by the wagon teams on a later day”.
A week later, another Ballarat Star article, dated August 26 states “arrangements have been made for the removal of the grandstand early next week, this work having been entrusted to Mr Brown of Mt Rowan, who will utilise his jinker for the purpose”.
Are there any other opinions about the move?
Now, a little detail on the grand old dame who still commands a picturesque view of the grounds and welcomes visitors onto her seats whenever needed.
The Victorian Heritage Register states the grandstand is a timber building with a corrugated iron roof partly barrel-vaulted and partly skillion.
It is of architectural significance for its unusual vernacular design and the high degree of physical intactness of its fabric. Kingston is rightly proud of her!
The Kingston Agricultural Society Show is on December 5 and 6. Saturday is the family day and the main horse show is on Sunday. There are also two days of top class working yard dog trials and don’t miss the dog jump, sheep showing and the Rural Schools Challenge. The society is always keen to hear from anyone wanting to become a part of the organisation. Link: www.kingstonagsociety.org.au
Images: Kingston Agricultural Society (top), below, Kim James
