Berwick &
District Agricultural
& Horticultural Society Inc
Celebrating 161 years of Agricultural
Competition
History
The Berwick Show Society has a long and
proud association with agricultural
competition in Victoria, tracing its
history back through the Mornington
Farmers Society to the founding body in
Victoria, the Port Phillip Farmers
Society which was established in 1848.
Port Phillip Farmer’s Society
The organisation, which is universally
accepted as the forebear of the current
agricultural movement, was formed in
1848. It was originally formed as the
Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Society but
changed its name to the Port Phillip
Farmers’ Society in the same year as it
was formed, namely 1848.
In the mid 1850’s the Port Phillip
Farmer’s Society formed a number of
branches to service particular regions.
Amongst these were two groups
representing Mornington, Bacchus Marsh
and Gisborne.
The Mornington Farmers’ Society
The founding of the Mornington Farmers’
Society in 1856 was a major step in
recognising Cranbourne as an important
agricultural centre. The Society owned
its own market house and shows were held
regularly.
By 1860, it was felt that the Society
had been responsible for the improvement
in the stock of the district. A second
show ground was acquired at Berwick and
the shows were held alternatively at
Cranbourne and Berwick.
In the late eighties, it was decided to
have permanent grounds for the
Mornington Farmers Society, and land was
obtained from Sir W.J. Clarke of Narre
Warren where the first show was held in
March 1891. Three years later it moved
to Buchanan Park Berwick.
The Mornington Farmers’ Society held its
Jubilee Show at Berwick on 15 November
1906. The Diamond Jubilee was held 10
years later and was overshadowed by the
Great War and the absence of many of the
younger generation.
At the Annual General Meeting held on
25th July 1918, the Mornington Farmers’
Society changed its name to the Berwick
and District Agricultural Society.
Berwick and District Agricultural &
Horticultural Society Inc
The Berwick Show Society got off to a
very rocky start. The Annual Report of
14th July 1919 records that “Owing to
the influenza epidemic the annual show,
which was fixed to take place in March
last, was abandoned”.
As Melbourne grew The Berwick Show
became a very important community event
within the district with special trains
running from Dandenong.
In 1935 the visiting Royal H.R.H The
Duke of Gloucester accepted Honorary
Life Membership of the Society.
History shows that inclement weather was
a major issue, particularly during the
1950’s when the shows were washed out
continually. Consequently it was decided
to move the show from the Spring to
Autumn.
It was also during this period that the
decision was made to make application to
the Govt to use the area known as the
Pound Paddock in Berwick (now known as
“Akoonah Park”) for use as a Showground
and Recreation area. In 1963 the show
moved to the new location, where it
remains today.
Today’s Show
The Berwick Show of today is very
different to that conducted 161 years
ago. Notwithstanding we are very proud
of the fact that our agricultural and
horticultural exhibits remain a
significant component of our Show. Our
cattle exhibit is one of the largest
outside the Royal Melbourne, and we have
significant Horse, Sheep, Alpaca, Goat,
and Poultry Exhibits.
Our Saturday night carnival continues to
be a highly successful and popular
component of our Show. A major success
factor being the very good working
relationship we have with the Victorian
Showmen’s Guild. Through their
co-operation we are able conduct a well
organised and safe event.
One thing that remains constant is the
contribution made by the volunteers who
make up the Show Society. Without their
dedication and hard work there would be
no Show.
Our Objectives
-
Ensure the long term viability of the
Society
-
Provide the local community with a
well organised and safe event that
enables it to come together in a
carnival atmosphere
-
Maintain cost effectiveness to ensure
that the Show can pay for itself, and
any monetary excess is reinvested for
future Shows
-
Act responsibly, keep up to date and
implement local/state/federal govt laws eg
OH&S, where and when required
-
Provide an opportunity for people in
the local community to be involved in a
volunteer organisation that develops and
enhances their skills and experience in
a friendly environment
-
Assist Community Groups e.g. Scouts,
Rotary, Schools, Churches, CFA by giving
them an opportunity to be involved in,
and promote themselves
-
Assist local businesses by giving them
an opportunity to both promote
themselves and conduct business at the
Show
-
Promote the Agricultural and
Horticultural Industries within the
district
-
Educate the community regarding the
rural history and heritage of the area
-
Enhance the lives of the community,
children in particular who may have
never seen a farm animal
-
For the Society members to have fun
-
Work closely with the City of Casey
to ensure that the operation of the
Show meets all local and state govt
requirements, and that we maximise the promotion of this
event which is the largest 2 day event
within the City of Casey
Our Challenges
How do we:
-
Attract new and younger people to the
Society thereby ensuring medium term
viability of the Society
-
Get the right balance between
traditional exhibits and entertainment
-
Better meet the needs of the local
businesses in the district
-
Manage costs in a responsible manner
to ensure that admission prices are kept
within the reach of the general public
-
Maintain the relevance of the Show
within an urban environment
-
Maintain the traditional agricultural
aspects of the Show
-
Recruit and retain people with the
necessary knowledge and skills to run
the Show
-
Organise and conduct the Show within
an increasing regulative environment at
all levels of Govt.
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