Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. any kind of activity.

1825		Age (London) 26 June 53/2: Of the persons who have instigated the whole transaction, we know quite enough to satisfy us that they deserved the ‘turn out’ with which the stewards visited them.
1834		Marryat Jacob Faithful II 50: Well, this has been a pretty turn out.
1872		Schele De Vere Americanisms 223: A man who builds a large house or delivers an eloquent speech is, in the West, said to have made a fine turn-out.
1883		J.T. Keane On Blue-Water 153: This is a nice turn-out — the plum-pudding’s been caught in a squall.
1912		‘R. Andom’ Neighbours of Mine 64: It was a swagger turn-out.
1929		K.S. Prichard Coonardoo 154: We been to Milli-Milli races [...] It was a great turn-out, Saul.
1938		J. Curtis They Drive by Night 92: A London bloke was done for in the bloody country. Blimey. It wasn’t half a turn-out.
1949		R. Park Poor Man’s Orange 12: I thought some of the boys might have been to this turn-out. Suppose they got more sense.
1954		J.E. Macdonnell Jim Brady 102: Looks like a beaut turn-out, all right.
1967		‘Whisper All Aussie Dict.’ in Kings Cross Whisper (Sydney) xli 4/5: turn out: An event, a happening, a party.
2000		J.J. Connolly Layer Cake 53: She did have previous for that kinda turn-out.

2. a resolution, a solution.

1903		H. Hapgood Autobiog. of a Thief 225: mack: It’s a sure turn out? captain: Was I ever known to go back on my word?
1938		J. Curtis They Drive by Night 260: Funny bloody business whatever way you looked at it. Proper turn-out.
1952		‘Burglar Cops’ in C. Hamilton Men of the Und. 117: It’s a sure turn-out?