100 Years

From a farmers’ union show in 1908 to Canberra’s biggest annual event, discover the story behind a century of Show tradition.
Royal Canberra Show poster celebrating 100 years

History

The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS) has promoted 
agricultural shows in the ACT and surrounding regions for close to 100 years.

coat of arms

1908–1927

The Early Years

The Show traces its roots to a Ginninderra Farmers’ Union show in 1908. After the Union disbanded in 1915, the Advance Hall and District Association picked up the mantle, staging district shows that grew into what’s now officially recognised as the first “inaugural” Canberra Show in 1927.

vintage photo of prize winning sheep

1931–1945

Growth, Then a Pause
The Show expanded to two days, with entries and attendance both climbing fast — helped along by a visit from Prime Minister J.A. Lyons in 1932, who promised Federal funding to grow the event. WWII paused development, but the post-war years brought renewed energy, with new clubs forming and the horse and sheep sections thriving.
vintage photo of horse riding

1961–1965

A New Home
The current 40-hectare showground site was selected in 1963, ending an era at Hall Showground. The first Show there, in 1964, drew a record turnout despite the weather, and 1965 saw cattle exhibited for the first time (along with a memorable marquee mishap in record winds).
Nighttime view of a brightly lit grandstand packed with spectators at a motorsport event, with floodlights, race track, and blue sky.

1972–1979

The Golden Growth Years

The Show extended to three days, and attendance soared: 61,000, then 75,000, then a landmark 100,000 in 1975. The arena nearly tripled in size, Canada became the first “guest nation,” and in 1979 the Show was granted “Royal” status.

Two equestrians in formal riding attire smile and gesture beside a bridled horse at an outdoor event.

Today

A Century in the Making

Since then, the Show has gone from strength to strength. It now draws steady crowds each year, with more entertainment, exhibitions and information than ever, for every kind of visitor.

VOLUNTEER STORIES

A hundred years of Show doesn’t happen without the people who turn up. Volunteers have run the gates, judged the classes, stewarded the rings, minded the animals and pointed lost visitors in the right direction, year after year, mostly without anyone noticing. Here are a few of them.

Have you volunteered at the Show?

We’re collecting stories for our hundredth year — how you started, what you remember, what keeps you coming back. Get in touch at [email protected] and we’d love to include you.

General FAQ

Is 2027 really the 100th Show?

Yes. The 1927 Show is officially recognised as the first Canberra Show, which makes 2027 the hundredth. The roots go back further — to a Ginninderra Farmers’ Union show in 1908.

The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS), a member-based not-for-profit that has promoted agricultural shows in the ACT and surrounding region for close to a century.

The Show was granted Royal status in 1979, during a decade when attendance grew from around 61,000 to well over 100,000.

No. The Show ran at Hall Showground until the current site was selected in 1963. The first Show at the new grounds was held in 1964.

Become a member, volunteer, enter a competition, sponsor a section, or just come along. Membership and volunteering details are under Tickets and Get Involved.