Boxing Day Sports 1902

In 1902 a Boxing Day sports carnival was held in Bunbury on the Recreation Reserve (reference; reference; reference). Plans for the event began in October, with a meeting held at the Prince of Wales Hotel (reference). Mr Edward Krachler was appointed the secretary of the event (reference). 

People wishing to enter the competition had to hand in their entry forms by 15 December (reference). The contestants' list was published in the Southern Times the following day after entries closed (reference). Closer towards the date, the handicaps for various competitions were listed in the Southern Times and Collie Miner (reference; reference). With all the entrants, the community was anticipating an exciting event (reference). Edward Krachler said that hundreds of men would likely come from different parts of the district for the event (reference). 

Stores wanting to have stalls at the event had to purchase the right from an auction held at the Prince of Wales Hotel (reference). Stalls up for auction included a publicans booth and a refreshment booth (reference). The auction occurred on Wednesday 18 December at 11 am and was run by William Bedford Mitchell (reference). William Lawrence Marsh successfully secured the Publican's booth, James English secured the refreshment booth, and Ben Mainstone won the legal games and sideshow (reference; reference).

The sports with monetary prizes included hurdles, log chop and a quarter-mile race (reference; reference). Other sports included a boys' bicycle race, triple jump, high jump, long jump, obstacle bike race and a potato race (reference).   

Friday 26 December 1902 was reported to have beautiful weather, encouraging a large attendance of the sporting event (reference). The day was a success for Bunbury, both socially and economically (reference). A large crowd of spectators attended the carnival, both young and old, to see the many sports competitions (reference). The results of the various events were printed in the Southern Times and the Bunbury Herald, and days later, it was estimated more than 1000 people attended (reference; reference). 

After the event, the committee met to discuss what the profits would be used for (reference). It was decided that Edward Krachler would receive a sum for his efforts as secretary (reference). Other beneficiaries included the Bunbury Dog and Poultry Society and the Rowing Club (reference).