Melbourne Royal celebrates 175 years of history
1840 - 1848: The Early Days
The seeds for the Melbourne Royal Show begin to sprout. An agricultural show is envisioned in 1840, and soon after the Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Society (eventually the Port Phillip Farmers Society) is formed and holds its first Ploughing Match in 1848 -- essentially the first Melbourne Royal Show.
1870 – 1889: A National Agricultural Society
In 1870, the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society becomes the National Agricultural Society of Victoria (NASV), and in 1871, the first Show is held at the new showgrounds site on St Kilda Rd. In 1882, the state government grants the Society 30 acres in Ascot Vale, where in 1883 the first Show is held on the new site.
1890 – 1916: A Royal Title
In 1890, Queen Victoria grants permission for the Society to become the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV). In 1898 the Show expands from four to five days, and in 1908 it is increased to eight. In 1910, the first Grand Parade, then known as the Massed Parade, sees both horses and cattle paraded around the arena at the same time, and the Show has a record high attendance of 150,000. No Show is held in 1915 due to World War I. The Showgrounds are requisitioned by the government and used as a training camp and military hospital.
1917– 1929: The Show Grows
In 1919, the Show boasts a new record attendance of more 205,000 people. In 1920, HRH The Prince of Wales visits Victoria and a special exhibition of stock is held in May at the Showgrounds in his honour. In 1923, the Show is conducted over 9 days with 300,000 people in attendance. In 1926, Show guides are introduced to help direct the public around the grounds.
1929 – 1938: In Memory
In 1934, the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout is introduced to the Show in memory of Violet Murrell and her horse, Garryowen. In 1934, to honour 100 years of Melbourne, a Centenary Show is held, opened by the Duke of Gloucester, and Centenary Hall is built. In 1936, the CWA tearooms (known as the ‘restrooms’ at the time) is established at the Showgrounds, and in 1937 the first night events are held at the Show. The following year, in 1938, the Show sees a remarkable 400,000 people in attendance.
1939 - 1947: War Returns to the Showgrounds
No Shows are held due to World War II. The Showgrounds are requisitioned by the Department of Defence and used by the RAAF. In 1946, the first Show held after WWII sees a record attendance of 652,666. In 1947, thanks to the initiative of Mrs Florence Monod, Women’s Industries is fully changed into Home Crafts, opening the competition to male participants.
1948 – 1954: An Olympic-first
In 1948, The Centenary Show celebrates 100 years since the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society held their first ploughing match. In 1950, The Diamond Jubilee Show is held to recognise sixty years of the RASV. In 1951, a Commemoration Show acknowledges the centenary of both government in Victoria, and of the discovery of gold, as well as the jubilee of Australian federation. In the same year, the Show hosts the first Olympic-type equestrian events, including Olympic jumping and dressage tests -- a first for Australia. In 1953, a Coronation Show is held to honour Queen Elizabeth II.
1955 - 1960: Glitz and Glamour
In 1955, the Society includes a dairy industry display as part of the Show for the first time to help promote innovation in the industry. In 1957, the Miss Show Girl Competition is held for the first time. In the same year, the Royal Agricultural Society works with the Victorian Aquarium Society to host the largest display of fish ever held in Australia at the Showgrounds. In 1958, the Showgrounds are used for filming the feature film On the Beach, based on the book by Nevil Shute. In 1959, HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent opens the Show to great excitement.
1960 - 1964: Bertie Beetle Arrives!
In 1960, the Society hosts the first Farm Management & Improvement Competitions, which continue for many years. Still-existing show icons like Bertie Beetle (1963) and the Animal Nursery (1964) are introduced/launched. In 1964, The Royal Agricultural Society supports the creation of the Victorian Agricultural Societies Association (VASA)
1965 – 1970: Clocks and Chairlifts
In 1965, the Floral Clock, which had been in storage through the war years and for decades after, is returned to the Centenary Hall. The same year, the Society hosts the first Australian Beef and Lamb Symposium. In 1968, the Show is held over ten days for the first time, and in 1970 the chairlift opens with 112 chairs spanning 550 metres – a 10-minute ride costs 80 cents.
1971 – 1977: A New Record
In 1971 the Society holds a special horse event to select the team to represent Australia at the Olympic Games. In 1972 the Show is first held for ten days and ten nights and hits a record attendance, clocking in at 916,730 visitors. In 1976, a committee, which includes Peter Ronald and Jack Rae OAM as members, organises the Royal city parade. The parade showcases horses; horse-drawn vehicles; beef and dairy cattle; dogs; marching bands (including the Victoria Police band); tractors; arena clown; and other street performers. In 1977, the Pie in the Sky is constructed from fibreglass and costs $80,000 to build. It becomes a visual icon of the Show for decades.
1978 – 1981: A Royal Visit
In 1978, HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent officially opens the Show for the second time. In 1978, the Society installs its first ICL 2903 computer, dramatically changing the nature of administrative work. In 1981, Corporate membership is introduced and almost fifty companies sign up. In 1981, two new educational programs are developed to help students learn about livestock and haymaking. 'Learning about Livestock' and 'The Story of Haymaking' are the most successful, giving almost 11,500 people the chance to learn more about cattle and sheep. In 1981, the book Speed the Plough: A History of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, by Frederick Noble and Robert Morgan, is launched. It covers Melbourne Royal and its history from 1848 to 1980.
1982 – 1987: Eleven Days
In 1982 the Show is reduced from twelve days to its current eleven at the request of cattle exhibitors. Huge concerts are held at the Showgrounds, including the Willie Nelson Country Music Festival (1982) and Bruce Springsteen (1985). The Show hosts two guest nations, Japan in 1984 and Italy in 1986, highlighting traditional and contemporary culture from both nations. In 1985 the Show is one of the last major events in a year of celebrating Victoria’s 150th anniversary, and as part of the annual city parade muster 1500 sheep and other animals down Swanston Street. In 1987, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited is registered as a company. In the same year, the Society hosts the Farm Animal Expo in place of the old Farm Learning Centre as a response to the Show no longer being held during term time.
1993 – 1998: Making History
In 1993, the Royal Melbourne Australian International Beer Awards are established. In the same year, the Showgrounds hosts its first Big Day Out, a major one-day outdoor music festival. This partnership continues for more than a decade. Additionally, in recognition the Year of Indigenous People, the Society engages award-winning Indigenous rock group Yothu Yindi to appear in concert on the Main Arena on the evening of 23 September. In 1998, to celebrate 150 years of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, the second edition of the Speed the Plough book by Robert Morgan is published, covering the Society’s history from 1980 to 1998.
2006 – 2015: Big Events, Big Awards
In 2006, Melbourne Showgrounds' new look is revealed. In 2008, Equitana is held at the Showgrounds for the first time, and in the same year, the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards are introduced. In following years, Major events find a home at the Showgrounds, including Top Gear Live (2011), MasterChef (2012-), the Caravan and Camping Show (2015-) and the first Disney activation outside of a Disney Venue (2014). In 2013, the Australian International Coffee Awards are established, as are the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (2015).
2019 – 2022: A Hiatus with a Big Return
In 2019, the Victoria Pavilion, a new function and banquet centre, opens at the Melbourne Showgrounds. In 2020-21, the COVID-19 pandemic results in the cancellation of the Show for two years, and the Showgrounds becomes one of Victoria’s largest COVID testing centres for the Victorian community. In 2021, the Emerging Leaders Group is established to encourage the support and development of young agricultural professionals. In 2022, the Show returns better than ever, with 501,784 people attending over 11 days.
2022 – Current: Cultivating Our Future
In 2023, it’s 175 years since the Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Society formed and held their first ploughing match. Melbourne Royal celebrates by telling stories of the inspirational people who have made the Show what it is.
