Royal Melbourne Show

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Royal Melbourne Show
Crowds - melbourne show 2005.jpg
Crowds at the Royal Melbourne Show
GenreAgricultural show
BeginsMid September
EndsLate September/Early October
Frequencyannual
Location(s)Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
Years active173
Inaugurated1848
Attendance500,000 (2010)
Organised byRoyal Agricultural Society of Victoria
Websitehttp://www.royalshow.com.au/

The Royal Melbourne Show is an agricultural show held at Melbourne Showgrounds every September. It is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and has been running since 1848.[1] Each year Royal Melbourne Show attracts attendances of up to half a million people.

About[]

The traditional purpose is the display of rural industry, including livestock and produce with its associated competitions and awards however the show also features amusement rides and a sideshow alley, as well as the awesome Australian tradition of 'Showbags', carry bags containing samples of goodies produced by various commercial enterprises.

A prominent feature during showtime are the many rides including a permanent wooden Mad Mouse roller coaster which resided at the grounds until 2001, owned by Wittingslow Amusements. A permanent chairlift also resided onsite until 2005. The site has its own railway station, used during special events located on the Flemington Racecourse line. The Thursday of the show was once observed as the Show Day public holiday in Melbourne; this holiday was abandoned in 1994.[2]

While the Royal Show is the main show in Victoria, many cities and towns in regional Victoria host smaller shows, such as the Royal Geelong Show, , Ballarat Show, Warragul Show, and the .

History[]

The show was founded in 1848. There was no show in 1915 to 1918 and 1940 to 1945 when the showgrounds were requisitioned for military use during WWI and WWII.[3] In 2020 and 2021 the show was cancelled due to social distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Displays[]

Equestrian Competition.

Competitions[]

The major rural competitions of the show include Alpaca competitions, Beef Cattle Competitions, Beef Carcase Competitions, Dairy cattle Competition, Dog Competitions, Horse Competitions, Poultry Competition, Sheep Competition, Domestic Animal Competitions, Fleece Competitions and Woodchop Competitions.

The major equestrienne competition of Australia is the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout which is held here. This is a memorial trophy to Mrs Violet Murrell's bravery in attempting to save her hack, Garryowen from a fire. The competition is judged on mount, costume, saddlery, riding ability and general appearances of horsewomen.[5]

There are also Art, Craft and Cookery Competitions.

Pavilions[]

A lamb in the petting area at the 2013 show
Wood chopping contest
Cows on show

Located all around the show grounds are a total of sixteen pavilions and arenas. These include:-

  • The Woolworths Pavilion where visitors can buy produce including wine, cheese, smallgoods, sauces, fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade ice cream, cheese and hand made chocolates. In 2012 the Grand Pavilion also hosted some of the Victorian Government stands.
  • The Grand Boulevard is a boulevard with selected themed commercial sites scattered along the spine sweeps across the full length of the site.
  • The Entertainment Dome was a roofed attraction that replaced the "Herald Sun Town Centre" in 2012. An entertainment venue with food stalls, a major stage (designed for major events/shows), and also a smaller stage for music acts. In 2012 it hosted the My Kitchen Rules live show. In 2016, the Entertainment Dome was replaced by the open Town Square, which featured a full performance stage, a high-dive act, seating, shading, food operators and large screens.
  • The Herald Sun Arena is a 9,000 square metre open air arena where crowds can watch the special events and entertainment.
  • The Jayco Animal Nursery Discovery has baby animals.

The Farmhouse is an interactive animal space including shearing and milking demonstrations and activities including pat-a-chook, pat-a-pig, grinding grains and digging for veggies.

  • The Woodchop Pavilion has woodchopping competitions during the day attracting competitors from Australia and around the world.
  • The Weekly Times Livestock Pavilion. is a huge pavilion where visitors can see animals or watch what's happening on the judging rings.
  • The Showbag Pavilion. is a large 3,000 square metre Hoecker building. Primary site for Showbag sales.
  • The Art, Craft & Cookery Pavilion is full of crafts such as knitting, crochet, decorated cakes, clothing, leather goods, cookery, home made jewellery and glass decorations. In 2017 it was changed to the Spotlight Makers Pavilion.
  • The Winning Tastes Pavilion is debuted on location at the MasterChef set in 20165. The Pavilion is designed to showcase local produce and food from The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria's food and drink programs.
  • The Advance Dog Pavilion: Over the course of the Royal Melbourne Show thousands of dogs are judged to find the best in show.

Entertainment[]

Entertainment consists of multiple live performances, activities and displays. Entertainers have included Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Peppa Pig, Dorothy the Dinosaur from the children's group The Wiggles, Play School and Hi-5 concert, Sampson the Monster truck, clowns, caricature artists and many more. In addition to 774 ABC Melbourne radio outside broadcast. There is a nightly fireworks display and live performances. Lights, colours and sound provide a unique atmosphere in the Carnival precinct at night.

Rides[]

Rides at the Melbourne Show 2013
Rides at the Melbourne Show 2013
  • Wave Swinger
  • Cliff Hanger
  • Crazy Spinning Coaster
  • Dodgem Cars
  • Ferris Wheel
  • Rockin' Tug
  • Hard Rock
  • Techno Jump
  • Taipan
  • No Limit
  • Mad Mouse
  • Chaos
  • Pirates Revenge Flume Ride
  • Roller Ghoster
  • Breakdance
  • Free Style
  • Rock Star
  • No Limit
  • Xtreme
  • Kamikaze
  • Power Surge
  • Space Roller
  • Hangover(replaced the Twin Flip, in 2012)
  • XXXL
  • Rebel
  • Python Loop Coaster
  • Mega Drop
  • The Beast(Australia's first KMG XXL)
  • Fury

The children's rides include:

  • Grand Carousel
  • Jump Around
  • Taxi Jet Car
  • Circus Swing
  • Harley Hog Motor Bike Ride
  • Rockin' Tug
  • Flash Dance
  • Shark Inflatable
  • Tiger Inflatable
  • Elephant Jet
  • Miniature Railway
  • Go Gator Coaster
  • Circus Circus
  • F1 Euro Slide
  • Undersea Mini Wheel
  • City Bridge Convoy
  • Samba Balloon Ride
  • Aladdin Mini Jet
  • Cup & Saucer Ride
  • Outback Pony Rides
  • Outback Rattler
  • Free Fall
  • Mini Jet
  • Train Ride
  • Ferrari 500 Racers
  • Magic Swans

References[]

  1. ^ Royal Melbourne Show 2008
  2. ^ "Detailed History". Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.[dead link]
  3. ^ "Timeline of the RASV". www.rasv.com.au. Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  4. ^ "2020 Royal Melbourne Show Cancelled due to COVID-19". www.rasv.com.au. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  5. ^ Garryowen back in family Retrieved on 15 October 2008[dead link]

External links[]

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