MEMORY LANE: Sydney’s iconic Easter Show

The first Sydney Royal Easter Show

For almost 200 years, Sydney’s Royal Easter Show has been the proverbial jewel in the Showgirl crown of Aussie agriculture. In 1823, the newly minted Agricultural Society of NSW put on its first show at Parramatta – then the “bread bowl” of the colony. It showcased the finest produce and the latest newfangled equipment and techniques, and it was a rare catch-up for farming families tilling the soil west to Penrith and along the Hawkesbury. In 1869, the show moved to Prince Alfred Park, near Central Station, bringing the country to the city. Then, in 1882, the location changed to Moore Park. In 1891, Queen Victoria bestowed the ‘Royal’ title on both the Agricultural Society and its increasingly popular show. The first fireworks display lit up the sky above the main ring in 1884, the towering district produce exhibits began in 1900, and the first show bags (thought to be an Aussie invention) arrived in 1909. The show was cancelled during the influenza epidemic of 1919 (as it was last year during lockdown) – showground buildings became temporary hospitals and the Royal Hall of Industries a morgue. But the show came back with renewed vigour in 1920 and that same year Sideshow Alley was born. Showman Arthur Greenhalgh’s first appearance was in 1910 with Volta the Electric Marvel. Later, he teamed up with American daredevil rider Ernest “Jack” Jackson to manage a suite of rides, waxworks, acrobats, magicians, “freaks”, the Wall of Death motorcyclists, the Wild West Show and other marvels, which they set up alongside Jimmy Sharman’s boxing tents. During World War II, the Showground was requisitioned by the military, and the show was cancelled for five consecutive years. But since then, it hasn’t missed a beat, serving up fairy floss to excited kids and fluffy CWA scones to their mums, displays to inspire awe, and the finest produce and livestock in the land. The Royal Easter Show is back again this year, at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush, from April 1-12.