Melbourne Royal® is a member-based, not-for-profit organisation that was formed in 1848 and the purpose is to celebrate agriculture, cultivate events and strengthen communities. The Melbourne Royal vision is to be globally recognised as a seal of excellence, highly valued for: showcasing food and beverage, produce and producers, presenting premier events, including but not limited to the Melbourne Royal Show and activating and creating vibrant event spaces at Melbourne Showgrounds.
This postcard appears to have been produced so various judges and stewards could reply directly to the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria to accept their positions at the 1915 Show. The 1915 did not go ahead, as the Showgrounds was offered to the Department of Defence for use in response to the First World War. Although staff operations would move to the Melbourne Showgrounds during the Show, for some time, outside of Showtime, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria's offices were in the CBD on Collins Street. Staff operations became permanently housed at the Showgrounds in 1957.
[obverse] WAITING for the JUDGE / MELB "ROYAL" SHOW / [reverse] PSOT CARD. / MELBOURNE ROYAL SHWO SERIES. / [table] 1913 Show (compared to) Highest / Previously / Entries ... 9,827 8,536 (1912) / Attendance .. 184,637 167, 390 " / Profit on Show .. £7,432 £6,502 " / Prize Money Awarded £4,586 £3,934 " / [end of table] Date,............1915. / I hereby accept the appointment / of Judge (judge has been struck and replaced with Milk Steward in handwriting) in Section............, in / compliance with the request of your council. / Signed.................... / Full postal address................. / RENWICK, PRIDE, NUTTALL. PRINT, MELBOURNE. / This space for Name and Address / To the Secretary, / The Royal Agricultural Society / of Victoria, / EQUITABLE BUILDING, / MELBOURNE. /
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This blue ribbon was created for the Melbourne Royal Show in 1933. The inscription does not specify which competition it was awarded for, suggesting it came from a larger set of ribbons distributed across the classes. As a blue ribbon, it would have been awarded for first prize.
The ribbon is in very decent condition given its age, with little fading of the text.
A blue ribbon with yellow print.
MELBOURNE ROYAL SHOW, 1933.
melbourne royal show, competition, prize, 1933 melbourne royal show
In the 1953, the Show held a special Coronation Show in honour of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
A badge consisting of a badge attached to a pin, and an oval shape hanging from the bar. The base of the badge is gold with inserted colour in the obverse. The bar is rectangular with concave sides and red infill around text ("STEWARD"). The oval has a dark blue outline with gold text and a belt-design similar to the RASV Speed the Plough Logo. Inside the outline is mostly gold. The background is textured, and on top of that is a crown design with red colouring on the 'cushioning' and "E[II]R".
[obverse bar] STEWARD [obverse oval] ROYAL MELBOURNE 1953 CORONATION SHOW / ER II [reverse oval] K.G. LUKE / MELB /
1953 melbourne royal show, melbourne royal show, royal melbourne coronation show, queen elizabeth ii, badge, steward, officials, uniform
This medal was awarded to JG Hopkins at the 1934 Melbourne Centenary Royal Show for placing third for the best Dairy Shorthorn Bull, 1 Year. The animal's name was Carramar Lord Deverley". In 1934, the Show recognised the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city of Melbourne with a Centenary Show, which included awarding specially designed medals to placegetters with the man carrying torch on a horse design.
While there are a few other examples of Melbourne Centenary Royal Show medals in the collection, most of them are blanks that were never awarded - it is much rarer to find remaining examples of medals that are engraved with winners in circulation.
A bronze-coloured circular medal with engraved designs and text.
[obverse] MELBOURNE CENTENARY ROYAL SHOW / VICTORIA / 1934 / [reverse] DAIRY SHORTHORN BULL / 1 YEAR THIRD / J . G . HOPKINS . / "CARRAMAR / LORD BEVERLEY"
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The Centenary Royal Show in 1934 was held in honour of one hundred years since the city of Melbourne was established 1834. The Show was opened by HRH Prince Henry, pictured on the certificate.
A landscape card with gold, blue, and light purple text and images printed, plus handwriting in ink.
CENTENARY ROYAL SHOW 1934 / [in logo] SPEED THE PLOUGH / The Royal Agricultural Society / OF VICTORIA / Champion / Awarded to [handwriting] Henry Hodge. / Exhibit [handwriting] Border Leicester Ewe / Class No [handwriting] 2907 / Louis Monod, / Secretary. / H Hearne & Co. Pty. Ltd., Paragon Printers, 285-287 Latrobe Street, Melbourne. / [image caption] H.R.H. PRINCE HENRY
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Since 1964, the Animal Nursery has been a popular attraction at the Melbourne Royal Show, allowing visitors to get up close to farm animals.
Colour photograph, landscape, printed on glossy paper.
pigs, animal nursery, piglet, pig
This photograph shows a young boy hand-milking a cow in the Animal Nursery at the Royal Melbourne Show, unknown year. From the early 1990s, the Animal Nursery introduced programs where visitors could see more farm experiences, such as milking cows, sheering sheep, and an ewe birthing centre.
Black and white photograph, landscape, printed on glossy paper.
[annotations on reverse] Pg 27 67% / W.F.08 1.55 / 3 / DOUBLE TAKE / 18 CARLYLE ST. ASHWOOD / VICTORIA, 3147. 25 7635 / 0 1192-C29 / P. 11/ 33% /
children, kids at show, farm experiences, cow, dairy cow, milking, animal nursery
This photograph shows a baby with a black sheep in the Melbourne Royal Show Animal Nursery. The Animal Nursery, first set up in 1964, has been a place where Show-goers can get up close experiences with a variety of farm animals.
Colour photograph, portrait, printed on glossy paper.
children, kids at show, sheep, animal nursery
Animal Nursery
Colour photograph, landscape, printed on glossy paper.
children, kids at show, animal nursery
This poster promotes the merits of travelling by train to the Royal Melbourne Show of 1958. The Showgrounds train station was one of the first buildings built on the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale when the site was established in 1883, allowing patrons quick access to the venue despite it being slightly further out from the city than previous sites.
A poster, printed portrait and in colour. The upper half of the poster shows a woman on a jumping horse, on a purple background; the lower half consists of a list of the advantages of taking the train, lettered in white on a black background; screenprint and process lithograph, linen-backed.
SEPT. 19 – 28 / Go to / MELBOURNE'S / ROYAL SHOW / by train / - RIGHT TO THE GROUNDS / - NO PARKING PROBLEMS / - COMBINED RAIL-ADMISSION TICKETS / - WEEKLY OR NINE DAY RAIL TICKETS / - SEE THE RAILWAYS EXHIBIT / - MEMBERSHIP TICKETS AT VICTORIAN / GOVT. TOURIST BUREAU /
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A poster promoting the merits of travelling by train to the Royal Melbourne Show of 1958. The Showgrounds train station was one of the first buildings built on the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale when the site was established in 1883, allowing patrons quick access to the venue despite it being slightly further out from the city than previous sites.
A portrait poster, printed in colour; in the upper half of the poster there is an illustration showing a family of four, walking to the right; in the background is a photograph of a train station; the lower half of the poster consists of a list of the advantages of taking the train, printed on five horizontal stripes, white and green; colour process lithograph, linen-backed.
BY TRAIN of course / TO MELBOURNE'S / ROYAL SHOW / SEPTEMBER 18 - 28, 1958/ NO PARKIGN PROBLEMS OR FEES / FREQUENT EXPRES SERVICE FROM FLINDERS ST. & SPENCER ST. RIGHT TO THE GROUNDS / DAY OR PERIODICAL TICKETS; COMBINED RAIL-ADMISSION TICKETS / NEW RAILWAY EXHBIIT WITH FREIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE / YOUR SUBURBAN STATION AHS DETAIL-PACKED PAHMPHLET /
train, metro trains, showgrounds, melbourne showgrounds, royal melbourne show, 1985 melbourne royal show, melbourne royal show, showgrounds station, railway
The Coolest Taste in the Universe produced by The Showbag Factory, Wangaratta.
Zooper Dooper Showbag, no content: black plastic bag with image of three cartoon astronauts surrounding the product logo
[both sides] Showbag Factory / Zooper Dooper / The coolest taste / in the universe! / Novelties in this bag may not be suitable for children under 7 years of age / products of National Foods Beverages group limited A. C. N. 051 195 272, 253 Woodpark Rd, Smithfield NSW 2164 Australian Registered trademark of Sunburst Foods Limited / Packed & marketed by: the Showbag Factory, 8 Barry Crt, Wangaratta, Ph. (03) 5721 4968
showbag factory, showbag, zooper dooper, commercial, confectionary
Licorice showbags have been perennial favourites at the Show since the 1920s. This bag was produced by Glenrobyn Enterprises, Wangaratta.
Licorice Showbag, no content: orange plastic bag with image of a cartoon character in a truck, text on black stripe above him, and red and yellow stripes in the upper section
On both sides: "Old Aussie Style Licorice", "Novelties in this bag may not be suitable for children under 7 years of age", "Glenrobyn enterprises (Vic.) Pty Ltd. 15 Newman Street, Wangaratta 3677 Phone (057) 21 4968".
confectionery, licorice, showbag, commercial
Bertie Beetle first made his appearance at a Show in 1963 when he was included in in the Hoadley's showbag. By 1972 he had his own showbag.
Bertie Beetle Blue Showbag, no content: blue plastic bag with Bertie Beetle character, and logo in a red bubble
[On both sides] Bertie / Beetle / Warning: not suitable for children under 3 years of age. This showbag may contain items that are sharp, or inhalation or chocking or strangulation hazards. PARENTAL SUPERVISION ADVISED / Chicane Marketing Pty Ltd, Unit C, 76 Wilford Street, Newtown NSW 2042. Phone (03) 9519 1966 Email: [email protected] / Confectionery in this bag is manufactured by Nestle Confectionery Ltd 1 Homebush Bay Drive, Rhodes NSW 2138. Trademark of Societe' [sic] des Produits Nestlé SA", "THIS BAG IS MADE OF RECYCLABLE MATERIAL / Ingredients for products that may appear in this showbag: Wonka Redskin stick (...) Milko stick (..) Allens lollipops (...)".
nestle, bertie beetle, showbag, commercial, confectionary, chocolate
Australia Post souvenir cover (envelope) dated 1982. Over the years, a number of stamps and postal souvenirs have been produced by Australia Post to celebrate the Royal Melbourne Show.
Buff coloured envelope with picture of bull, shearer and showjumper on front. Cancelled at Ascot Vale 16 Sep 1982
australia post
Set of four Australia Post stamps celebrating Agricultural shows Over the years, stamps and postal souvenir covers have been produced by Australia Post to celebrate agriculture and shows.
Four stamps with denominations of 36c, 65c, 90c and $1. Each with show pictures on a white background.
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Australia Post souvenir cover undated Over the years, stamps and postal souvenir covers have been produced by Australia Post to celebrate the Royal Melbourne Show.
White coloured envelope with picture people, animals etc on blue/green background. No stamp or cancellation.
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW / AUSTRALIAN POST SOUVENIR COVER /
stamp, post, royal melbourne show, melbourne royal show, australia post
The Australian Paramount Prize Packet available from the Footscray Display.
Australian Paramount prize bag for the Royal Show, no content: craft paper bag with loosely woven string handle, and text in black lettering
[obverse] The Australian / PARAMOUNT / Royal Show / PRIZE PACKET A Prize in every bag - only obtainable at the / Footscray Display / Stands 347-8, Industrial Hall / [reverse] Webb Printing Co / 226 Nicholson st, Footscray, W11 / or Webb's School Shop, Hyde St, Footscray / Quality paper in our Bigger and Better Books / Robber stamps, Paper Bags, Geneal stationery / School Books / Bought, sold or exchanged
industry, showbag, australian paramount, commercial
Life Savers were invented in America in 1912 and produced under an agreement in Australia from 1921. The name refers to the fact that the hole in the middle will prevent choking if the sweet is swallowed whole.
Life Savers showbag, no content: paper bag with string cord handle, printed in colour; one side showing a roll of Butter Scotch Life Savers and two Scottish children dancing under it; the other, a roll of Pep-O-Mint Life Savers, set against an Arctic background
[obverse] 3 PACKETS FOR 1-' EVERYWHERE / BUTTER SCOTCH / LIFE SAVERS / THE CANDY WITH THE HOLE / Also obtainable / in following flavours: / Crystomint - Stick-O-Pep - Orange - Lemon - Lime" [reverse] Cooling Pep-O-Mint Life Savers, the candy mint with the hole / Also obtainable in following flavours: Spear-O-Mint - Assorted floral - Vi-O-Let - Musk - Clove - Thirst - An-O-Sed / 3 packets for 1'- everywhere / [bottom] Wilmers & Gladwin Pty Ltd
confectionery, lifesavers, showbag, commercial
Small's Club Chocolate was initially promoted as chocolate for men.
Small's chocolate showbag, no content: paper bag with paper handle, both sides showing three chocolate bars from their range; with one side advertising Club chocolate, Flowing Peppermint, and Milk chocolate; the other side, Fruit'n'Nut, Cherry Slice, and Bar O' Nut; in colour
[obverse] Small's" / Small's / Club / CHOCOLATE / NOT / SO / SWEET / 3 OZ NET / Small's / CLUB CHOCOLATE / Flowing / Peppermint / 3 OZ 2 DR NET / Small's / Milk / Chocolate / 3 OZ NET / Milk & Club Chocolate /
confectionery, small's, small's club chocolate, chocolate, showbag
Twisties showbag, no content: paper bag with paper handle, with yellow and red design; one side advertising Twisties and showing a cartoon character carrying a bag of the snack; the other side advertising potato chips
[obverse] Twisties / The wholesome super snack / [reverse] Enjoy Snack Potato Chips /
food
Kia-Ora was a concentrated soft drink cordial first developed and produced in Australia in 1903
Kia-Ora showbag, no content: paper bag with string handle, the brand name in bold white lettering in a red rectangle, against white and green stripes
[both sides] Kia-Ora / QUALITY FOOD PRODUCTS /
kia-ora, showbag, commercial, cordial
Cadbury produced a range of confectionery including the Crunchie bar.
Cadbury showbag, no content: paper bag with paper handle, one side advertising the Crunchie bar, the other Dairy Milk chocolate; printed in red, yellow, light blue and navy blue
[obverse] Crunchie / the extraordinary bar / Cadbury / [reverse] Dairy Milk / Cadbury chocolate" and "Cadbury / [sides, both] I want Cadbury's /
cadbury, showbag, commercial, crunchie bar, chocolate
Together with 6 traditional rolls of Life Savers, this showbag offered the new lollipop version. Beechies gum is advertised on the verso of the showbag.
Life Savers and Beechies gum showbag, no content: paper bag (printed in yellow, blue, red, green and pink) with handle, one side advertising the Life Savers range (Pep-o-Mint, Spear-o-Mint, musk, raspberry, thirst, and five flavor, and the new Life Savers lollipop); the other side advertising Beechies gum, with a yellow smiley face and five packs of gum showing the range of available flavours (strawberry, musk, orange, lime, spearmint, peppermint)
[obverse] Reach for a beechies and smile! / [reverse] Life Savers, the cand with a hole / New! lollipops - the giant Life Saver on a stick / [sides] look at life through a Life Saver
confectionery, life savers, showbag, lifesavers, lollipops, commercial
The Sun Country Show Girl Quest, 1976. This presentation is on the stage of Wool Court on the Showgrounds. The compere in the suit is Brian Naylor. Naylor was an RASV Councillor from 1977-83 and a well-known news presenter, particularly for Channel 9. He often provided commentary and was a compere for several Show events, including the Miss Show Girl competition, Arts and Crafts, and the Australian Wool Corporation's Wool Fashion Parades, both before and during his time on Council.
Black and white photograph, landscape.
[Inscription on A4 History/Identification Project placed with photo] Approx date: 1976. The late Brian Naylor, Channel 7/9 news reader, RASV councillor. Presentation of Showgirl finalists on stage at Wool Court. Tim Morgan 23/4/2013
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The Marshwood Challenge Trophy was first awarded in 1974. This valuable trophy was donated by Major Maurice Charles Cox and his wife Betty, who were devoted to the Shetland Pony. Why is it called Marshwood? The Coxes both worked to maintain high standards of the Shetland breed. They did this in Great Britain by starting The Marshwood Stud in 1922. They also both took on the role of president of the Shetland Pony Major Stud Book Society and started a scheme to use only the best stallions for breeding. Major Cox and Australia The Coxes promoted the Shetland pony elsewhere too. Major Cox judged Shetland ponies at shows in Australia, Sweden and France. He probably last judged in Australia at the Sydney Easter Show in 1981. By this time Major Cox must have been in his late 70s as he was a reserve cavalry man in 1918. The silver-footed salver trophy was made in Scotland in 1916. It is possible that Major Cox brought it with him to Australia when he was judging Shetland ponies at the Royal Melbourne Show in the 1970s. The Marshwood Challenge Cup was awarded for the best Shetland pony at the show. Major Cox drew on his experiences examining Shetlands all around the world when he wrote The Shetland Pony (first published in 1965). (Mandy Bede)
Silver tray on four feet. The 14-sided silver tray has wavy edges giving a floral appearance.
Marshwood Perpetual Challenge Trophy / Presented to the / Royal Melbourne Show / by / Mr & Mrs Maurice Cox / 1974 / for the best / Shetland Pony /
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The Garryowen Perpetual Trophy is awarded annually to the winner of one of the most prestigious equestrienne events in Australia, the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout. The competition is named after three-time Royal Melbourne Show champion saddle horse, GARRYOWEN, whose owner Violet Murrell died tragically whilst trying to save GARRYOWEN from a stable fire in 1934. A Heroine of Racing Mrs Violet Murrell of Melbourne, was a heroine who died trying to save her horses when the racing stables burned. The reason for her rescue attempt was twofold; she was both trying to retrieve an asset and was rescuing an animal from its agony. The heart of the racing world in Melbourne went out to Murrell and trainers, jockeys, and stable-boys came in crowds to her funeral. 'In the racing stables, in truth, the horse and the man are part of each other; and Mrs Murrell's name, with the manner of her death, will live as a tradition in the fraternity of men and horses to which she belonged'. (Sun, Sydney, Sunday 1 April 1934, p. 4) Began with a fire This trophy began as a tribute to a brave woman who risked and lost her life trying to rescue her horses and dog from a fire in 1934. It has become the premier turnout event for horsewomen in Australia. The idea came from a gathering at the Police Depot in St Kilda Road Melbourne, where friends of Violet discussed how to remember her and her beloved horse GARRYOWEN. The event was first staged at the 1934 Royal Melbourne Show. The public, through the Sporting globe newspaper, contributed to the cost of buying the 12 inch bronze statuette which is a perpetual trophy. The winner is also presented with a blue sash fastened with a small photograph of Mrs Murrell riding GARRYOWEN. Jockey, jumper, show ring rider Violet Murrell was 29 years old when she died. She had a career as a flat-race jockey riding and winning against men. She was also a successful jumps jockey. (Mandy Bede)
A bronze horse statuette mounted on a slab of marble and a wooden base with metal plates.
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Colonel Sir Charles Merrett VD is the longest serving President of the RASV. He served in the role for 31 years from 1915 to 1946. This oil painting was presented to him in 1925 by the Council of the RASV.
Oil Painting In Wooden Frame, Gold Gilt
PRESENTED TO COLONEL C. E. MERRITT VD BY THE COUNCIL OF THE RAS AS A MARK OF ESTEEM AND IN RECOGNITION OF MANY YEARS OF VALUED SERVICE AS PRESIDENT 5.2.25
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Portrait of Kelso Fragrance, the Junior and Grand Champion Shorthorn Heifer, exhibited by G. Starritt in 1960. George 'Ray' Starritt OBE joined the Society in 1957, with his father founded the Kelso Park stud, originally for sheep, in 1914. Starritt became a Life Councillor of the RASV in 1977, and held the office of Vice President for 12 years before taking on the presidential seat from 1982 to 1986.
Colour, landscape photograph in gilt frame with glass front, wire hung
Kelso Fragrance (2.9.59) / Sire, Chapelton Bright Fashion (imp.), Dam, Kelso Sweet Fragrance / Junior and Grand Champion Shorthorn Heifer, Melbourne, 1960. / Exhibited by G. Starritt & Sons, Kelso, Tatura, Vic. / 525.3933 /
shorthorn, cattle, cow, heifer, starritt, g starrit, george starritt, ray starritt, livestock, blue ribbon competition, winner, grand champion
Portrait of Alexina Duncan (nee Butcher) who was the wife of David Duncan, the first treasurer of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society in 1848. The Port Phillip Farmers' Society eventually became Melbourne Royal. The painting is part of a pair with a portrait of David Duncan.
Oil Portrait In Heavy Elaborate Gilt Timber Frame
ON BRASS PLATE - PRESENTED FOR ALEXINA DUNCAN BUTCHER BY HER FAMILY THE ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN ANCESTORS ALEXINA DUNCAN WIFE OF DAVID DUNCAN
rasv, duncan, alexina duncan, treasurer, port phillip farmers' society
