It was a perfect winter’s day for the event which was first held in 1961.

The day kicked off with a street parade from the centre of town to the showground where the event was held.

Organiser Margaret Swilks thought it was one of the biggest parades seen in Stroud for a long time.

“I was in the first parade 50 years but moved away from Stroud when I was 17,” Mrs Swilks said.

“I came back to Stroud five years ago and this year joined the committee.

“It is great to see so many people taking part in the parade and the event.”

Inaugural president of the original committee Lance Chapman officially opened the ceremony, saying it was a pleasure to be invited back.

“When the first brickthrowing was held we all remembered the Olympic Games in Melbourne which were held five years earlier in 1956,” Mr Chapman said.

“At those games Australian sportsmanship reached a new high-water mark when we were placed third in the world in the unofficial point score, behind the two giants, USA and USSR.

“So when we were invited to join the three other Strouds in the world in this international competition, we thought why not and it was a way to uphold Australia’s sporting history.

“Beryl Bowden and her daughter Lyndal Davey were both world champions and Lyndal went onto the USA in 1976 as an ambassador for the sport in this country.

“The community has continued to support this event and looking at everyone here today, I’m sure it will continue for many years to come.”

Most original float in the parade was Stroud Pharmacy, most decorative was Stroud Garden Club and the most topical was the brickthrowing’s 50th anniversary vehicle.

ABBA won the best small group and the teddy bear’s picnic group organised by the Stroud Writer’s Group won the best children’s item.

The Australian Light Horsemen won the historical section, most amusing was Charles and Camilla and the Dungog Vintage Car Club received a highly commended award.

Brother and sister combination of Emily and Toby Ware won first and second best decorated bike.

The contest traditionally pits the town against the world’s three other Strouds, in Canada, England and the United States.

Canada has not competed for the past two years.