Meribah Sports Carnival

Object Source: Meribah Sports Carnival : [poster]

Date of creation : 1950

Additional creator : Murray Pioneer Print.

This item is reproduced courtesy of Murray Pioneer. It may be printed or saved for personal research or study. Use for any other purpose requires written permission from Murray Pioneer and the State Library of South Australia. To request approval, complete the Permission to publish form.

Format : Poster, 620 x 440 mm

Meribah, in a corner of South Australia's Murray Mallee, was settled from 1912, and gazetted a town in November 1914. It was originally surveyed with five blocks of 16 building lots each, but many of these were never taken up. It is an isolated dry farming region with the nearest large towns of Loxton, 40 kilometres to the north, and Pinnaroo, 90 kilometres to the south.

The Meribah Institute was built in 1927, a large building with reputedly the best floor in the area. It was a popular venue for dances and meetings but was destroyed by fire in February 1947. After three hard years of fundraising and re-building the new Institute Hall was opened 30 September 1950 after a day of sporting events, and with a grand ball in the evening.

Athletics and cycling events were a feature of the sports carnival with cash prizes and trophies. Children's events were also featured, and a special appearance by the Renmark Motor Cycle Circus. Cycling was a popular sport for many years before the current resurgence.