af 1968

In what was to be the last of the early festivals, Mt. Barker staged its third Festival in 1968. Whilst all previous festivals had been predominately 'apple festivals' Mt. Barker designed this festival to spotlight the importance that the sheep and wool industries and other primary products, as well as apples, played in the economy of the Shire of Plantagenet. Under the chairmanship of Mr. C.R. Smith and secretary-organizer, Mr. I. T. Platt the committee set out to achieve this aim. Festivities got under way on Saturday morning with the official welcome to the Reso train that had travelled all night from Perth. The procession then assembled and paraded down the main street to the Show grounds for the start of the day's activities.

There were six queen contestants this year. Bridgetown's Junior Farmers Club nominated June Vallence. The Mt. Barker Sporting Bodies nominated Joy Klopper and May Pavlinovich was sponsored by the Mr. Barker Primary School Parents and Citizens Association. Albany was represented by three contestants, Gwenda Canning and Anne Thomas, both nominated by the Albany Hospital Nursing Staff Social Club and Shirley White nominated by the Albany Lions Club. Donnybrook had no contestants but Robyn Bode attended to pass on her crown to the new Queen. The Golden Shears Shearing Competition got under way and continued all day. A Polocrosse competition commenced at the Polocrosse ground adjacent to the show ground and Hot Rod and TQ Racing was held at the Rifle Range Circuit on Porongorups Road. Clay pigeon and pistol shooting displays were held whilst the Albany Caledonian Society Pipe band and the Albany Salvation Army Band entertained the crowd. After lunch the apple packing competition started in the pavilion and was won by Mr. J. Mills with Mrs. E. Hockey second. Tennis, golf and bowls events were held for locals and visitors alike. A Cycling Race from Cranbrook to Mt. Barker occurred during the afternoon in very (Courtesy of Doug Henderson's book "Apple Queens & Festivals")

Festival Ball: (L-R) Gwenda Cannine, Albany; Shirley White, Albany; June Vallence, Bridgetown; Ball MC; Festival Queen May Pavlinovich, Mt Barker; Miss Singapore, Madeline Tam; Anne Thomas, Albany & Joy Klopper, Mt Barker. Photo courtesy of Doug Henderson's book "Apple Queens & Festivals"	May Pavlinovich, Mt Barker being crowned by Miss Singapore, Madeline Tam. Photo courtesy of Doug Henderson's book "Apple Queens & Festivals"

Festival Queen, May Pavlinovich Photo courtesy of Doug Henderson's book "Apple Queens & Festivals"

We invite people to provide us with photos of previous apple festival queens and floats. Anyone who has photos can drop them into "Crendon Machinery", all photos will be returned.

The Donnybrook Apple Festival 1968

The next Donnybrook Apple Festival is in Easter 2010