The Royal Melbourne Show has been cancelled this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate its legacy. Who could forget the grand parade,

the laughing clowns,

the woodchopping competitions,

or the pony rides?

Not to mention the showbags!

The National Agricultural Society of Victoria held its first Show in 1871 on 17 acres of land leased near the military barracks in St Kilda Rd. The Show was held over four days and featured a variety of livestock, horses, farming implements and agricultural machinery.

Entry on day one cost the public 2 shilling and 6 pennies, with the entrance price gradually reducing over the ensuing days. The weather was reportedly very favourable, and St Kilda Road was kept well-hosed to stop the drive to the showgrounds from becoming too dusty. (The Argus)

The Show continued to be held at the St Kilda Road showgrounds for the next decade, until it was moved to its present-day location in 1883.

In 1890, the National Agricultural Society of Victoria was granted the Royal Assent, and from that day forward the Show assumed a new gravitas, as the Royal Melbourne Show.

The event became so popular that from 1885, the Victorian government granted the public an annual Show Day so they could attend.

Until the end of 1912, the Show was held in August, but from 1913 onwards, it was held in the last week of September.

By the 1920s, the Show had already taken on a carnival atmosphere, as described in this letter to the ‘Children’s Corner’ of the Advocate in 1927: ‘There was a merry-go-round for the children, and a snake charmer who did many wonderful exploits with his music, and Hindoo (sic) magicians and a circus.’

Windmills were also a common feature of the Show, as our letter-writer observes: ‘…the first thing that drew my attention were the windmills, a veritable forest of them, standing a loft in steel stilts, turning their long arms…’

Show bags were a regular drawcard, although until the 1930s they were distributed free-of-charge, and contained product samples, rather than merchandise. [1]

The Show’s first grand parade was held in 1910, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that arena entertainment really took off. Over the years, the main arena has played host to an eclectic range of events, including rodeo riding, polo, tree climbing, tent pegging, human cannonball firing, Mexican birdmen and more! [2]

Sideshow alley has been part of the Show since the 19th century. In the early years, its attractions included boxing troupes and freak shows, but by the 1970s these were deemed inappropriate, and adrenalin-inducing rides such as the Mad Mouse rollercoaster took their place. [3]

Until this year, the Show had been cancelled on only two occasions in its history: once in 1915 during World War I, and again, from the years 1940 to 1945. In both instances, the showgrounds were requisitioned for military purposes.

Sadly, this year will mark the third occasion, but with a bit of a luck the Show will return in 2021, and we can go back to marking it on our September calendars.

Postscript

You can keep the Show spirit alive this year by joining the Celebrating the Show online campaign from 19-29 September. Head to the Royal Melbourne Show’s website and social media channels for themed days, profiles of farmers and agricultural experts, live farm-cam, videos, competitions, memorable moments from past shows and more!

References

[1] Darian-Smith, Kate, 2008, ‘Royal Melbourne Show,’ Encyclopedia of Melbourne

[2] Morgan, R., 1972, 100 years of shows: the story of the Melbourne Show, 1872-1972, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, Ascot Vale, Victoria, p. 22

[3] Darian-Smith, Kate, 2008, ‘Royal Melbourne Show,’ Encyclopedia of Melbourne

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