*Please note- This site search does not include the Vic. & Tas. BMD's, Lots o' Links & Worth a Look Books
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Now once we had places for fun,
to compete, to enjoy, everyone;
When land becomes dear
we all have a fear,
each place over time will be done!
to compete, to enjoy, everyone;
When land becomes dear
we all have a fear,
each place over time will be done!
PECULIAR PLACES
and other destinations
The Royal Melbourne Show
1.100 Years of Shows
2.Prior to 1872
3.First Ascot Vale Show 1883
4.The Melbourne 'Royal'
5.Twentieth Century Show
6.Side Shows & Displays
7.What have they done to the Showgrounds?
2.Prior to 1872
3.First Ascot Vale Show 1883
4.The Melbourne 'Royal'
5.Twentieth Century Show
6.Side Shows & Displays
7.What have they done to the Showgrounds?
100 Years of Shows
THE 'SHOW'
While sorting through paperwork recently, I came across a booklet that I must've picked up or was handed as a young teenager at the Show. Why did I keep it?, I know now. The booklet-100 yrs of the Melbourne show 1872-1972, tells of its early beginning & highlights, listing names over the years of people involved in committees etc. Who knows how many were spared from the bin? |
Prior to 1872
The 'Port Phillip Farmer's Society' in 1848, organised a Ploughing competition, on The 'La Rose' farm in Moonee-Ponds. During this time, farmers were concerned about the backward state of agriculture in the Colony, describing ploughing as "Disgracefully, unworkman like" Few men could plough a straight line, every furrow a perfect 'zig-zag'. They decided that the annual ploughing match would improve the quality of work. It was so popular, that it became an annual event until 'Gold fever' struck & hundreds left for the diggings.
In 1848, The
Moonee Ponds Farmers' Society was formed Geelong Advert.(Vic) 27 July 1848
They held their 1st Ploughing Match at La Rose Farm, Moonee Ponds, not long after forming
Melb. Argus (Vic) 1 Aug 1848
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The Port Phillip Farmers' Society Committee for 1849
Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Tues 10 Oct 1848
now The Port Phillip
Farmer's Society They continued to grow & expand, holding regular ploughing matches and Annual Exhibitions until feeling the effects of the Gold rush & their last exhibition was in 1867
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Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday 18 November 1882
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Reporting on the 1867 Show
Leader (Melbourne, Vic), Sat 6 June 1868 The Port Phillip Farmers' Society, after two decades, was succeeded in 1870, by 'The National Agricultural Society
of Victoria', who held their first show on a 17 acre site bordering St. Kilda rd., over 4 days in November 1871. A great success, but ran at a loss. ILLUMINATIONS OF MELBOURNE-
On the Arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh Dec. 1867 http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/result?l |
First Ascot Vale Show 1883
A 1932 account, reflecting on the Flemington/Ascot Vale Grounds
Australasian (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday 17 September 1932
Australasian (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday 17 September 1932
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday 14 April 1883
One report stated that 20,000 people attended the current Ascotvale/Flemington Showgrounds, 1883
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Shows were held on the St. Kilda Rd., site until 1882. The first show at Ascot Vale, was in 1883, on 30 acres (eventually 63) bordered by an 8ft corrugated iron fence.
Australasian (Melbourne, Vic), Sat 11 August 1883
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Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 10 Nov 1883
A Special Train siding was put in, that delivered the people right to the gate of the showgrounds
Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Tuesday 2 September 1902
Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Friday 26 September 1924
The Grandstand was erected for the 1886 show, at a cost of £3,993, but was destroyed by fire in 1914 The 1886 show took over £3,000 at the Gates, but the Society had spent much more than this, on other buildings & sheds etc. |
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic), Sat 14 April 1883
The Railways agreed to Transport the public to the Showgrounds for 3d (5c)
Show Train Wrecked,(names mentioned)
Daily Telegraph (Syd, NSW), 5 Sept 1912 |
The Melbourne 'Royal'
Leader (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 12 July 1890
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The National Agricultural Society of Victoria, petitioned to Queen Victoria for the
use of the name 'Royal'. Permission was granted in May 1890. The Agricultural Society & the Yacht club Perth, were granted Royal at the same time
Ballarat Star (Vic), Friday 30 May 1890
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1890 Show Prize Winners
Geelong Advertiser (Vic), Thursday 28 August 1890
Geelong Advertiser (Vic), Thursday 28 August 1890
A Holiday for the Show in 1885
Around that same time, The Factories & Shops Act was passed, for a weekly half-day holiday on a Saturday
Universal Half-day Saturday
Bendigo Independent (Vic.) Sat 5 September 1896 The Factories Act 1896
Horsham Times (Vic), Friday 2 October 1896 We now have shops opening not only Saturday afternoons, but all hours.
Seems like we've reverted back in some ways? |
Half-day Holiday proclaimed for Show Week,
from 1896
Unfortunately in 1994, Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, took the Show day holiday away from Victorians, as well as the Easter Tuesday holiday. |
Twentieth Century
Show
Show
Until 1913, the show was held in August. Since then, it has always been the last week in September.
Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic), Sat 3 September 1904
Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic.), Sat 9 September 1905
Paths Asphalted in 1902
Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Tuesday 2 September 1902 Not enough Asphalt?
Sydney Mail & N.S.W. Advertiser 7 September 1904 |
The September Show Week Plague-
Unpredictable Weather! Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Monday 10 September 1900
And it wasn't only Rain
Daily Standard (Qld), Saturday 22 September 1923
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Before 1902, admission on the first day, or judging day, would be 2/6, but then it became One Shilling every day.
In 1903, the Hill section of the Arena was cut out
Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld), Sat 12 Sept 1903
As well as the fire, the grounds were used by the Military in 1914 & 1915, housing over 5,000 Troops.
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The Show ran every year, except during
War Times In 1914, a fire destroyed the Grandstand, as well as other buildings.
Nhill Free Press (Vic), Friday 25 September 1914
After the fire damage, A New Grandstand & Two Buildings were erected in 1915
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1921, was the Show's Jubilee & the Showgrounds were now 27 acres Larger, making it 57 acres
1921 Jubilee Championship Winners
Geelong Advertiser (Vic.), Tue 20 September 1921 |
Aerial Photo of Showgrounds for Jubilee
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic., Sat 8 October 1921 ROYAL JUBILEE SHOW CONCLUDING DAY
RING EVENT WINNERS Ballarat Star (Vic.), Monday 26 September 1921 Th e Jubilee- names of Past Presidents
Australasian (Melbourne, Vic), 17 September 1932 |
Outside of Show Week, the grounds were used for other things, including an unusual 'Mass' in 1934, where 60,000 women knelt to pray in the rain
Mirror (Perth, WA), Saturday 8 December 1934
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The Mud Area was Transformed in 1937
"The mud would pull a sea boot off you" Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 18 September 1937
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The Royal Agricultural Society, kept increasing the size of the Showgrounds. In 1937, they bought more surrounding property
Also spending £6,000 on Flood Lighting
Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 18 September 1937
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Riverine Herald (Echuca, Vic. Moama, NSW), Thu 15 April 1937
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"Although overshadowed by the horrors of war, there will be no slackening in effort on the part of the officials of the Royal Agricultural Society or of the exhibitors to make the Royal Melbourne Show, which opens on Thursday, September 21, an unqualified success"
Australasian (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday 23 September 1939
Australasian (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday 23 September 1939
Thousands of Boy Scouts March in the Parade of Flags, at the 1939 Show
Weekly Times 30 Sept 1939
1st Show since the War
Advocate (Burnie, Tas), Thursday 19 Sept 1946 |
First Show for
Seven Years Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Fri 20 September 1946 |
The Showgrounds were also used by the Military in WW2
Daily Examiner (NSW), Fri 27 Sept 1946
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Olympic Games at Showgrounds?
Advertiser (SA), Tue 19 Dec 1950 Quite Definite, Hey?
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Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic), Wednesday 13 September 1950
Side Shows & Displays
Phonographs, Sewing Machines, Everything new, on Display
in the early 1900's, Melbourne Show
in the early 1900's, Melbourne Show
Eventually all sorts of things were on Display at the Show, even Motor Cars
Sun (Sydney, NSW), Saturday 3 April 1920
Side-Shows started to creep in during the 1930's
Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic), Wednesday 22 September 1937
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.), Wed 3 Sept 1952
Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW), Sun 29 March 1953
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'Kiddie rides' on a small scale in the 1930's
Weekly Times 1 Oct 1938
Now Show bags are costly, but once upon a time, Sample Bags from the Hall of Manufacturers, were available
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic), Wed 26 Sept 1951
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What have they done
to the Showgrounds?
to the Showgrounds?
Then & Now
The Argus 22 September 1922
The Royal Agricultural Society's noted Highlights
1840 First Society formed. The Australian Felix Pastoral and Agricultural Society was formed.
1848 First Ploughing match Ploughing matches were conducted around by the Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Soc.
Society Name Change. The Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Society becomes the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society.
“The objects of this Society shall be to encourage a spirit of emulation amongst Agriculturalists and
Farm Servants by offering premiums to be competed for annually by the growers of the best samples of
grain and other produce, and the owners of the best stock for grazing and dairy purposes; also for the
best agricultural implements; and to offer prizes to be competed for at an annual ploughing match.”
1851 First prize medallions. Medallions were presented to winners of ploughing, stock and produce.
1855 First land grant. Three acres of land on Sydney Road opposite the University, granted to the Society.
1867 Last Show at Parkville. The last Show at the Parkville Showgrounds was held and was officially
opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria.
1870 New Society. The National Agricultural Society of Victoria was formed.
1871 New Showgrounds. The first Show was held at the new St Kilda Road Showgrounds.
1874 First Shearing demonstration Forty shearers entered sheep shearing match introduced by C. B. Fisher.
1882 Intercolonial match. First Intercolonial Champion Ploughing Match held at Chirnside Park, Werribee.
Another Site. The NASV accepted the site for the new Showgrounds - 30 acres near Flemington
Racecourse. There were worries that this was ‘too remote’ from the city.
1883 First Show. In November, the first Show was held at the new Showgrounds.
1884 First Wine Show. The number of entries in the first Royal Melbourne Wine Show was recorded at 13.
1885 Public holiday. A half day on a Thursday was granted as a public holiday for the Show.
1890 Royal name. Queen Victoria gave permission for the Society to become the Royal Agricultural Society
of Victoria and Speed the Plough became the official motto.
1898 Longer Show. The four day Show became a five day Show.
http://www.rasv.com.au/AboutUs/Heritage/RASV_History
1840 First Society formed. The Australian Felix Pastoral and Agricultural Society was formed.
1848 First Ploughing match Ploughing matches were conducted around by the Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Soc.
Society Name Change. The Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Society becomes the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society.
“The objects of this Society shall be to encourage a spirit of emulation amongst Agriculturalists and
Farm Servants by offering premiums to be competed for annually by the growers of the best samples of
grain and other produce, and the owners of the best stock for grazing and dairy purposes; also for the
best agricultural implements; and to offer prizes to be competed for at an annual ploughing match.”
1851 First prize medallions. Medallions were presented to winners of ploughing, stock and produce.
1855 First land grant. Three acres of land on Sydney Road opposite the University, granted to the Society.
1867 Last Show at Parkville. The last Show at the Parkville Showgrounds was held and was officially
opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria.
1870 New Society. The National Agricultural Society of Victoria was formed.
1871 New Showgrounds. The first Show was held at the new St Kilda Road Showgrounds.
1874 First Shearing demonstration Forty shearers entered sheep shearing match introduced by C. B. Fisher.
1882 Intercolonial match. First Intercolonial Champion Ploughing Match held at Chirnside Park, Werribee.
Another Site. The NASV accepted the site for the new Showgrounds - 30 acres near Flemington
Racecourse. There were worries that this was ‘too remote’ from the city.
1883 First Show. In November, the first Show was held at the new Showgrounds.
1884 First Wine Show. The number of entries in the first Royal Melbourne Wine Show was recorded at 13.
1885 Public holiday. A half day on a Thursday was granted as a public holiday for the Show.
1890 Royal name. Queen Victoria gave permission for the Society to become the Royal Agricultural Society
of Victoria and Speed the Plough became the official motto.
1898 Longer Show. The four day Show became a five day Show.
http://www.rasv.com.au/AboutUs/Heritage/RASV_History
The Tiny Arena 2017, with seats in the hot sun, or rain
I don't think they could get those stalls any closer to the Grandstand? Royal Melbourne Show: Showtime needs the ‘A’ put back in RASV
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/ |
The Argus 22 September 1922
Taking a stroll 'Down Memory Lane', is very hard to do these days, as nothing stays the same. I guess that's progress for you? Royal Melbourne Show photo essay: Photos (Herald Sun 2014)
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/new |
Land- After all of the hard work, in building up the Showgrounds by the Pioneers of the Royal Agricultural Society,
the area has now been reduced back almost to what they started with.
Holiday- The joy of the early Show goers, in gaining a half-day Holiday has been taken away
Showbags- What were once Sample Bags by the Manufacturers, now cost a fortune
The 'Big Pie'- a Show icon, is still there, but doesn't have 'Four & Twenty' written on it, I guess the advertising costs too much?
The Grandstand- is still there, but has been overshadowed by stalls.
The Arena- has been moved and reduced in size as well.
the area has now been reduced back almost to what they started with.
Holiday- The joy of the early Show goers, in gaining a half-day Holiday has been taken away
Showbags- What were once Sample Bags by the Manufacturers, now cost a fortune
The 'Big Pie'- a Show icon, is still there, but doesn't have 'Four & Twenty' written on it, I guess the advertising costs too much?
The Grandstand- is still there, but has been overshadowed by stalls.
The Arena- has been moved and reduced in size as well.
Coles Opens New $40 Million Supermarket on Former
Royal Melbourne Showground Land, Ascot Vale The showgrounds shrunk a third in size from 27 hectares, to 18, as part of a $146 million revamp announced by the State Government in late 2004. About 4.5 hectares were removed from each of the western and eastern boundary of the showground site, to make way for retail and commercial projects. http://www.realestatesource.com.au/coles |
Did we really need another Supermarket?
It will never be the same again!
It will never be the same again!
In 2020 and 2021 the show was cancelled due to social distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, The Royal Melbourne Show was rebranded to Melbourne Royal Show
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne |
“Our vision is for Melbourne Royal® to be globally recognised as a seal of excellence and highly valued for showcasing food and beverage, produce and producers; presenting premier events; activating and delivering vibrant event spaces,” continued Brad.
“The new Melbourne Royal® brand maximises our opportunities for business growth, developing new awards, new events, new venues, new services......... agshowsaustralia.org.au/the-royal-agricultural-society-of-victoria-limited |
Below- link to the Early Ploughing Matches Held, includes Names of Entrants from each Australian State
History brought to life again, thanks to TROVE newspapers article (NLA)