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Royal Melbourne Show
Introduction
 In
the spring of 1848, seventeen farmers gathered at a Moonee Ponds farm where
they competed to plough a perfectly straight furrow. These farmers believed
that skill with the plough was the basis for good agricultural practice.
With the ploughmen came onlookers, entertainers and merchants selling wares.
The ploughing match, which became an annual event during the 1850s, was
the forerunner of the Royal Melbourne Show.
The
first agricultural shows in Melbourne were held in the 1870s. The 1874
show, run by the National Agricultural Society of Victoria (as it was
known until the addition of 'Royal' in 1890) attracted entries from NSW,
Tasmania, South Australia and New Zealand as well as Victoria. Horses,
cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and dogs competed. There were displays of
farm machinery, buggies, harnesses, cheese, bacon, butter and sheep shearing.
There were also novelty exhibits of washing machines, steam engines and
knife polishing. The Department of Agriculture sponsored the show by providing
prize money to winning entrants.
Early agricultural shows in Melbourne
were held in Parkville opposite Melbourne University. They moved to a
site in St Kilda Road, South Melbourne before settling at the present
site in Ascot Vale in 1882. However, there was initial discontent with
the Ascot Vale site which was thought t o
be too far from the city.
The original aim of the Royal
Melbourne Show was to promote good agricultural practice by displaying
the best agricultural material in the State and enabling farmers to display
their wares. The Show aimed to educate both country and city people about
agriculture and to allow an exchange of ideas within Melbourne and rural
Victoria.
The Department of Agriculture maintained
a strong presence at the Show, mounting displays of produce, farming methods,
novelty crops and advice for consumers. A Government Pavilion was constructed
in 1918, occupying a quarter of a hectare. Today's Government Pavilion replaced
the first pavilion in 1977.
After the Second World War,
industry bodies such as the Egg Board and the Dairy Industry devised large
displays to demonstrate and promote their activities. These displays often
emphasised innovative technology and new products.
The Royal Show quickly became
a major event and an institution in Melbourne. For Melburnians, the Show
was a chance for a day out: a train trip (costing 3d), picnics, a carnival
atmosphere and an opportunity to see animals, machinery, sample food and
enjoy the entertainment. Show Day Holiday was declared in 1885. Prior
to the Second World War,
the Show attracted traditional sideshows such as Jimmy Sharman's boxing
troupes, the "Half Man - Half Woman" display and the "Tattooed Lady".
Today, rides, games and fast food outlets are a major feature of the show.
Over 670,000 people attended the Royal Melbourne Show in 1998.
Additional
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