The History of the Busselton Agricultural Show

The Southern Districts Agricultural Society has grown from a very small beginning in the year 1861 to be one of the major shows in this vast state of ours.  

The settlers of the 1860’s were still ‘breaking in’ new land but the Agricultural Society that they formed was set on very firm foundations.  The initial Shows were a combination of agricultural and horticultural displays and were mainly staged to pay out bounties on fox tails and cockatoos. 

The first show was held on the site of the old Council Chambers, at the corner of Adelaide and Queen Streets (where Movie World now stands).  It was probably a modest affair and there was no ‘gate’ due to the absence of fences of any kind.

In the following years the show moved to where the old railway station stood between Harris Street and Peel Terrace.  During the 1920’s and 30’s, the merry-go-rounds, etc, the favourite haunts of the young, were set up on what was then known as Barnard’s Yard, opposite the Commercial Hotel, as there was insufficient room for them on the showground.

Members whose names appeared on the early Roll belong to the history of Busselton & Districts.  They are as follows:

Finally in 1946 the show was transferred to Churchill Park, its present site.  In the ensuring years, this has been transformed by hardworking committees into one of the most attractive country showgrounds in the state.

Pictures courtesy of Busselton Historical Society:

Show day 1924                           

Judging of 'milkers' 1911

1957 Cattle Judging

Grand Parade