I wonder if anyone can remember the fact that Edgeworth was once the Cow Chip Capital of
Australia? Here is an excerpt from Youngy Then and Now (The story of Young Wallsend/ Edgeworth),
recorded by Sue Sokoloff, our former Teacher Librarian, in the book she wrote as part of our school’s
centenary celebrations in 1991.
“For a few years during the 1970’s the P. &C. came up with a novel way of publicising the School
Fete and raising more money. In 1974 they held the Edgeworth Country and Western Fair at which
the first Australian Cow Chip Throwing Competition was held. The sport had begun six years before
in Beaver County, Oklahoma. The rules were strict. Each entrant was allowed two chips to be
chosen from a dry pile supplied by the organising committee (no private entries allowed).
Contestants were not allowed to wear gloves. Twenty-five men and eighteen women later, the
bottom playground plastered from the two throws each, the winners were declared: John Roebuck
of Edgeworth (152 feet, 7 inches) and Maxine Hearn of Cardiff South (81 feet, 8 inches), each
received a trophy for their efforts. Edgeworth was declared the “Cow Chip Capital of Australia” and
presented with a perpetual trophy, which is still displayed in the school library. (Mrs Mitchell is still
checking on this one) Sadly, after a few years, this unique form of fund raising was dropped from the
fete, thus ending another colourful (fragrant?) chapter in Edgeworth’s history.” (p66)
Keep a lookout for more gems from our school’s history as we approach next year’s 125th
Anniversary celebrations. Only 187 days till our Back to Edgeworth Open Day!