From its beginnings in 1876 to the much-loved event it is today, take a look back at some of the key milestones that have shaped the Shepparton Show over the years.
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1876– Agricultural Society formed
1877– First Show (Welsford/Marungi Streets)
1889– Site moved to Benalla Rd
1898– New grandstand relocated from racecourse
1912– Memorial gates completed
1913/14– New grandstand renovations
1932– Chamber of Commerce Hall erected
1940– Showgrounds became Infantry Training Depot
1941– RAAF takes over Showgrounds as a Recruit Depot
1946– First Post War Show generates record profits
1951– Introduction of three-day show
1952– Night Show introduced and night trotting
1963– Big pavilion added
1967– Animal Nursery added
1977– Golden Jubilee Show
1991– Springnats Car Show
1993– Rookies Return of Army and Air Force personnel
2011– $5 million upgrade and McIntosh Centre
A journey from 135 years to 150 years
2012 — Improvements to the showgrounds continued to provide better facilities for exhibitors, competitors and visitors.
2013 — The show continued to bring together rural and urban communities through livestock competitions, displays, entertainment and family activities.
2015 – The society undertook a re-brand of the show to mark the completion of the showground’s redevelopment.
For the first time since 2004, the society had full use of the showgrounds site.
The redevelopment had reduced the original footprint, but provided upgraded facilities capable of supporting a broader range of community activities.
2016 — A major anniversary — 140 years of the Shepparton Agricultural Society.
The milestone was celebrated with a special program and anniversary activities.
A pictorial history of the society was also produced, documenting its long association with agriculture and the community.
2018 — Ferret racing featured as a distinctive attraction.
2019 — The show was operating at full strength before the extraordinary disruption that followed.
The program featured dairy cattle, goats, poultry, miniature horses and ponies, dogs and ferret racing, together with circus, horse entertainment, community displays and family activities.
The 2019 program gives a good snapshot of the diversity the show had developed by this point.
2020 — The show was cancelled because of COVID-19.
The cancellation was a major moment in the society’s history, breaking the annual run of the show.
It was only the second cancellation in the show’s history, with the other major interruption occurring during World War II.
2021 — For the second consecutive year, the show was cancelled because of COVID-19.
Two years without a show created an enormous challenge for the society, exhibitors, competitors, volunteers and the wider community.
2022 — 146th show and the show returned!
After two years of COVID cancellations, the community was finally able to come together again.
Approximately 13,000 people attended across the two days.
The return was described by organisers as one of the best shows they had held, with strong demand for tickets.
2023 — The show continued its strong recovery following the pandemic.
2024 — The poultry section was unable to operate because of the bird flu outbreak, an unusual challenge for an agricultural show. Rather than leaving the poultry pavilion empty, the show still found ways to engage visitors, including a live duck named Crumpet and a creative poultry-themed presentation.
The show continued to demonstrate its ability to adapt, while maintaining its agricultural focus.
2025 — A new Dog High Jump competition was introduced, open to dogs of different sizes and jumping abilities.
2026 — 150th show celebrations.