From time to time the town was treated to the excitement of travelling buckjumping shows and circuses. There were also event entertainments, ‘quadrille assemblies’ (dances), Cinderellas (children’s dances) and magic lantern shows. C. J. James of Western Champion had a projection outfit and often travelled to other towns to show his slides (Hoch, 2008, p. 43).
In 1906 residents thrilled to the exploits of Lance Skuthorpe and his ‘Boys from the Bush’. In July when this buckjumping show arrived in Barcaldine, it was greeted with such enthusiasm that it remained for a week instead of the two days planned. The Skuthorpe brothers, Australia’s most famed riders, brought mules, horses, ponies and bullocks to delight the crowds with their skill as they mastered the animals, sometimes without reins or stirrups (Hoch, 2008, p. 57).
In October 1924 a Barcaldine Pastime Club formed with D. Lennon as secretary to ‘provide wholesome dancing, picnicing and other entertainment . . . to eliminate the bush hooliganism in which a section of the local callow youth has hitherto been allowed to indulge’. The first function, a ball in the shire hall, was marked by ‘an absence of horse play‘ but the committee admitted it had undertaken a difficult task and reports of the Pastime Club did not appear for long in the Champion (Hoch, 2008, p.75).
Touring companies brought new cultural experiences. Queensland Symphony Orchestra toured in May 1950, and in June 1952 the State Opera Company presented Madam Butterfly (Hoch, 2008, p. 109).
In September 1965, Barcaldine also had grand ball for the final judging of a ‘Girl in a Million’ quest, won by E. Parkes.
The Barcaldine Choral Society, formed in 1979 by Fr. Wagstaff, Jan Winter and Mary Murphy, gave regular public performances.
