Saturday, September 6, 2025

Agricultural Shows in the Shires of Berwick and Cranbourne

September is Royal Melbourne Show Time, so this month we will look at some Show related history.

The first reference I can find to the Royal Melbourne Show and the local area (old Shire of Berwick and Cranbourne) is in 1890 when Mr Alexander Cameron of Mayfield, Cranbourne won the champion bull at the show with six year old, Sir Robert Stout. The next year his Ayrshire bull, Aisla Crag won first prize in its category. (1)


Alexander Cameron's champion bull
State Library of Victoria image IAN01/09/91/22-23a
 
In 1894, a report from  the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 5, 1894 tells us that -  A. Dunlop of Koo Wee Rup won first prize at the Melbourne Show for his ‘cheese suitable for export’ and second prize for his ‘cheese over six months’. This was Alexander Dunlop (1832-1902) who at one time leased the Harewood Mains property at Dalmore from William Lyall. He later purchased Holmwood, a property of 660 acres (270 hectares) at Yallock where he established his cheese factory. (2)  

A report in the same paper from September 8, 1897 noted that Mr John Lyall of Koo Wee Rup won first prize for his Romney Marsh champion ram. His father, William Lyall, had imported Romney Marsh sheep and had exhibited them at the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society Annual Show in 1863.(3)  

In 1899, Mr M. McNamara of Bunyip won prizes for his Berkshire pigs, as reported in The Age. In the Boar over 12 months old category, Mr McNamara’s Sir Charles, won second prize. In the Boar under 12 months old category, he was awarded second place with his pig named Mark Twain. This was Mr McNamara’s first time exhibiting at the Show (4).    

In September 1914, the Bunyip Free Press could report –
A fine collection of farm produce from district farms has been collected by Mr. James Young and forwarded to Melbourne for exhibition at the Royal Show. The produce will be shown on the stand occupied by Wischer and Co, manufacturers of manures, and visitors to the show should certainly call at the stand and inspect the collection. The following forms part of the produce with names of the farmers :-White Belgium field carrots, from Mr. J. Mclnerney, Iona ; Carmen potatoes from Mr. Bradshaw, North Bunyip; 'Up-to-date' potatoes from Mr. John McKay, Iona; Brown Spanish onions from Mr. J. Pincott; Yellow Dent maize cobs from Mr. Silvester, Iona; and Brown Spanish onions from Mr. J. McKendry, Iona.The area was a major producer of dairy products and in 1918 both the Iona Cheese Factory and the Cora Lynn Cheese Factory gained prizes –At the Melbourne Show this week several local exhibitors have been successful. The Iona Cheese Factory was awarded 1st prize for cheese, over six months old; 1st for cheese, under four months old; 2nd for cheese suitable for export, not over three months old; 3rd for for cheeses not over 12lbs each, over four months old. Cora Lynn Factory - 2nd for cheese over six months; 2nd for for cheeses not over 12lbs each, over four months old. (5)

In September 1920 - The Iona cheese factory practically "scooped the pool" at the Royal Show in Melbourne. For years past Iona .has won the bulk of the cheese prizes. (6)  

The Royal Melbourne Show began with the ploughing competitions organised by the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society which was established in 1848 (and initially called the Moonee Ponds Farmers' Society)  and which was the forerunner to the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.   Early Days of Berwick (7) explains -  The aims and objects of the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society were to encourage a spirit of emulation amongst agriculturalists and makers and importers of agricultural implements by offering prizes to be competed for annually - for the best samples of grain and other agricultural produce; for the best stock for agricultural, grazing and dairying purposes and for the best agricultural implements, also by offering prizes to be competed for at annual ploughing matches and for the encouragement of district farming societies. (8) 

The Moonee Ponds Farmers' Society wasted no time and held their first ploughing on July 28, 1848. You can read a report in The Argus about this event here. On August 18,  1848 a meeting was held and the name of the Society was changed to the Port Phillip Farmers' Society. You can read about this,  once again in The Argus, here. (9)  Another name change occurred in 1870 when the Port Phillip Farmers' Society became the National Agricultural Society of Victoria (NASV). At the same time the organization moved their show grounds from Sydney Road in Parkville to St Kilda Road in South Melbourne (near Dorcas Street). They remained on St Kilda Road until 1883 when they moved to Flemington.  In 1890, the NASV became the Royal  Agricultural Society of Victoria. (10)

Back to the Port Phillip Farmers' Society which  had three branches - Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh and the Mornington branch, which was established in October 1856. It was named Mornington from the County of Mornington. For land administrative purposes Victoria was divided into Counties and the Mornington County took in the Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast region, Phillip Island, Cranbourne Narre Warren and east to Bunyip and parts of Emerald and Gembrook. 

We will return to Early Days of Berwick to find out how the Mornington branch was established - At a meeting at Bowman's Hotel on the Cardinia Creek in 1856, for the purpose of forming a District Roads Board, Mr Alexander Patterson brought forward a proposal to form a district Pastoral and Agricultural Society as a branch of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society, of which he was a district member. The idea was heartily approved by the meeting and about twenty enrolled as members. Shortly afterwards, on 6th October 1856, a meeting was held in Dandenong, when it was resolved that a Society be established and named the Mornington Farmers' Society in accord with the title of the central society. It was further resolved that there should be a committee of nine member and the following were elected by ballot: Dr James Smith Adams, Dr James Bathe, Messrs Abraham Gardiner, Isaac Keys, William Lyall, Alexander Patterson, Charles Rossiter, Thomas Walton and John Wedge. Mr Patterson was elected Secretary and Treasurer. (11)

The Mornington Farmers' Society held their first Ploughing match on Wednesday April 29, 1857 at 'Mr Walton's Farm near Dandenong' - this was Thomas Walton, who came to what is now called Narre Warren in 1852 and built Holly Green - his farm is now occupied by the Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. The Early Days of Berwick has the location of this first ploughing match taking place at Cranbourne, but this report, below, from The Argus contradicts this (this not to denigrate the research published in the Early Days of Berwick which was first published in 1948 - we now have a huge range of resources available to us on-line that were unheard of then).  



Advertisement for the first Ploughing match at Mr Walton's near Dandenong


This is a report of the first ploughing match - 
1st Mornington Ploughing Match April 29, 1857
The first district ploughing match of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society, in the county of Mornington, took place according to advertisement on Wednesday last at Mr. Walton's farm, near Dandenong.
The ground selected proved to be admirably adapted for the match, and all the arrangements made by Alexander Patterson, Esq., a member of the society residing in the neighbourhood, were calculated to give entire satisfaction to the competitors and spectators assembled on the occasion.

Messrs. Thomas Miller and William Dewar attended as judges from the central society. Mr. Charles Forrester, who had been appointed to act with them as the local judge, preferred entering the lists as a competitor, and as will be seen from the awards subjoined, succeeded in carrying off a second prize, thus practically showing that his appointment by the Committee was a judicious one.

The number of entries at the hour for starting amounted to twelve, viz.,-seven horses and five bullock teams. The quantity of ground allotted to each competitor was half an acre, and, in the majority of instances, the work was completed in excellent style. The judges expressed themselves highly pleased with the ploughing in both classes, and their decisions gave entire satisfaction to all parties interested.The awards were as follows :
Class 1, Ploughing with Horses.
First Prize- A Gold Medal awarded to Mr. A. Patterson -ploughman John Gellie.
Second Prize -First Silver Medal, awarded to
Messsrs. J. and P. Brisbane - ploughman James Rutherford. 

Class 2, Ploughing with Bullocks.
First Prize - Gold Medal, awarded to Mr. John Mills - plough held by himself.
Second Prize - First Silver Medal, awarded to Mr. Charles Forroster - plough held by himself.
Mr. James Buchanan's ploughing highly commended.

Best Team of Mares or Geldings at work in the field -
First Silver Medal, awarded to Mr Isaac Keys for a pair of very superior mares.
Best team of Bullocks, at work in the field.
First silver medal, awarded to Messrs. J. and P. Brisbane.

Although, from various causes, the number of competitors was not quite so large as expected, still, as a commencement, the meeting was a most satisfactory one.. The attendance of spectators throughout the day was numerous, and comprised all the agriculturists of note in the locality. Their previous support of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society has been most cordial, while the spirit evinced regarding the match, coupled with the successful result of the day's proceedings, speaks favourably as to the desire for agricultural improvement existing in this rapidly rising district.

After the termination of the match, the gentlemen present sat down to a dinner, hospitably provided by Mr. Walton, and eventually separated, with the determination to support next year's ploughing match with increased spirit.
(12)

2nd Mornington Ploughing Match June 4, 1858
The second ploughing match was held on June 4, 1858 at Mornington Farmers' Society - ploughing match at Cranbourne in 1858 at the property of the Reverend Alexander Duff in the township of Cranbourne. Reverend Duff owned most of the block bordered by Russell, Bakewell, Cameron and Childers Street - the site is now occupied by Cranbourne Primary School.

Ploughing Match Mornington Branch of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society
The second annual ploughing match of the Mornington branch of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society took place, according to appointment, on the property of the Rev. Alex. Duff, in the township of Cranbourne, on Friday last, and was in every respect a successful gathering of the friends of agricultural progress in that district.

The number of teams and ploughs assembled on the ground amounted to 15; viz., eight horse and seven bullock ploughs, being three in excess of last year ; and it is but justice to state, that in the display on this occasion a very decided improvement was evinced, both as to the quality of the teams and the care and skill of the workmen contesting for the prizes.

On the completion of the work allotted to the various competitors, the Judges, Messrs Dick, Wade and Leckie, proceeded to their inspection, and handed in their awards, as follows :

PLOUGHING WITH HORSES
First prize - Gold medal, or £6 - To John Tait, ploughman to Mr. Creighton.
Second prize - £3-To Nicholas Fowler, ploughman to Messrs C. and T. Rossiter.
Third prize - £2, or first silver medal-To George Wooff, ploughman to Mr. Cameron.

PLOUGHING WITH BULLOCKS
First prize - Gold medal, or £6 - To James Buchanan ; plough hold by himself.
Second Prize - £3 - To James Darnach, ploughman to Messrs Brisbane,
Third Prize - £2, or first silver medal - To Thomas Mitchell, ploughman to Mr. R. Patterson.

BEST TEAM OF MARES AND GELDINGS AT WORK IN THE FIELD
First Prize - First silver medal -To Messrs. C. and T. Rossiter.
Second Prize - Second silver medal-¡To Messrs Creighton.

BEST TEAM OF BULLOCKS.
First Prize - First silver medal – Mr M. M’Lelland
Second Prize-Second silver medal-Mr. J. Buchanan
Most of the leading gentry and agriculturists of the district, together with a sprinkling of the fair sex, visited the field during the progress of the match, and in the evening were hospitably entertained by the worthy proprietor.

The vice chair was occupied by A. Patterson, Esq., to whose exertions in the capacity of hon. secretary the success of the society is in a great measure to be attributed. A variety of excellent speeches followed, in the course of which frequent allusions were made to the fact of the grain-growers of the district taking some of the principal prizes, in competition with those of Adelaide and Victoria, at the late show of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society, and all present expressed their satisfaction at the results of the second annual ploughing match of the " Mornington Branch." 
(13)

From 1860 the shows alternated between Berwick and Cranbourne, until the late 1890s when the shows were held at Berwick, the 40th show was held at Cranbourne in 1897.  The name Berwick and District Agricultural & Horticultural Society was adopted by the Mornington Farmers' Society at the Annual General Meeting held July 25, 1918. (14)  The Duke of Gloucester visited the Berwick Show in 1934, see report and photographs, here

Local Agricultural Societies
You may remember if you went to the Royal Melbourne Show before the 1980’s that the focus was on agriculture rather than show-bags and rides. I have photos of the 1960 Royal Melbourne Show, taken of a potato washing and packing display of J. & F. Rouse, Cora Lynn, here.  It was the object of organisations such as the Royal Agricultural Society to encourage and promote improvements in agriculture and the shows allowed the farmers to display their best stock or produce and show off their ploughing skills. To this end, local Societies were established .


View of the Bunyip Showground 

The Bunyip Agricultural and Horticultural Society was established in December 1899 and they held their first show on March 17, 1900. (15) There were prizes awarded for cattle, dairy produce, grain, fruit, preserves and miscellaneous. Here are the winners and the second place awards for the last two categories -
Preserves
Collection Homemade Jam - Mrs Lougley and Mrs Mortimer.
Two Bottles Tomato Sauce - Mrs Rintel and Mrs Greenham.
Two Bottles Honey-Mrs Greenham and E.Holgate.
Collection of Pickles.- S. P. Nicholson.
Collection Preserved Fruit - Mrs Rintel and D. Topp.
Miscellaneous
4lb Loaf Home-made Bread - Mrs Rintel and Mrs Ellis.
Dish of Home-made Scones - Mrs Glenister and Miss Topp.
Home-made Fruit Cake - Mrs Williams and Mrs Bell.
Home-made Plain Cake - Mrs Ellis and Mrs Morris.
Best Dressed White Shirt and Collar - Miss M'Namara and Miss Bell.
Collection of Fancy Work - Miss Bell, Miss Topp.
Pair Hand-knitted Socks or Stockings - Mrs Morris, Mrs Rintel.
Collection of Flowers - Miss Heales, Mrs Nelson.
Colored Map of Australia (for children attending Bunyip, Bunyip South, and Garfield State School) - Jessie Tutton and Albert Ellis. (16)


Bunyip Agricultural Society - Group of officials

In February 1907, two thousand people attended the Bunyip Show where the special guest was the Governor, Sir Reginald Talbot. The Governor and his party had arrived by special train at Garfield; they were then transported to Iona to view the settlement and thence by way of the Main Drain to the show ground attended by an escort of the Australian Light Horse under Captain A'Beckett (17) 


Arrival of the Vice Regal Party at the Bunyip Show


The grandly named Lang Lang Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society started on December 3, 1900 and their first show was held on February 27, 1901. (18) This report of the first show was in the Western Port Times
The Lang Lang A.P. & H. Society held their first show on Wednesday. The attendance was large and there must have been nearly a thousand persons present. The exhibits were also very numerous being nearly 900. The show of stock and farm implements were shown in the sale yards, farm produce and other small exhibits were in the Mechanics' Institute. This society has done well with their first show and it is hoped by next year that suitable yards will be erected. (19)


Lang Lang Agricultural Show.
1. Committee and Officials of the Lang Lang Agricultural Society. 2. General view of Show Grounds, judging hacks. 3. Mr H.G. Gamble's (Lyndhurst)  First Prize Yearling Heifer 'Queenie' 4. Mr A.J. N. Facey's (Cranbourne), Champion Ayrshire Cow 'Bud of Glen Elgin.' 5. In the ring: Judging Ayrshire bulls. 6. Mr J. T. Smethurst's (Yannathan), Champion Jersey bull. 
Weekly Times, March 3, 1906 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221220483


The Pakenham Agricultural and Horticultural Society was established in September 1911 and their first show was in March 1912. (20) 

The first Catani Show was held in April 1941 with proceeds going to the War Aid Auxiliary. The Show made a profit of over £100. (21)  Prizes were awarded in a number of categories including Draught Horses, Ponies, Ayrshires, Jerseys, Red Poll and Dairy. There was also a Women’s Section which had prizes for Cut flowers, Preserves, Pickles, Bread & cakes, Fancy work and Produce. A highlight of the show was, as The Argus reported, an exhibition by the Longwarry Butter Factory created considerable interest, as exhibits of cheese, butter, cream, pasteurised and brine-cooled milk, milk powder, and other products manufactured from milk and cream supplied by the farmers of the district, gave an idea of the productivity of the soil. (22)


Footnotes
(1) The Leader, October 11, 1890, see here and here; South Bourne and Mornington Journal, August 26, 1891, see here
(2) South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 5, 1894, see here. Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (F.W. Cheshire, 1968) , pp. 124-125.
(3) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, September 8, 1897, see here
(4) The Age, September 6, 1899, see here; The Weekly Times, September 9, 1899, see here
(5) Bunyip Free Press, September 10, 1914, see here
(6) Yarragon Settlement News, September 23, 1920, see here
(7) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts - Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Harkaway, Narre Warren and Narre Warren North, complied by Norman Beaumont, James Curran and R.H Hughes. It was first published in 1948, I used the 3rd edition. Early Days of Berwick has a very comprehensive chapter on the Mornington Farmers' Society and the Berwick & District Agricultural & Horticultural Society on pages 55 to 66. 
(8) Early Days of Berwick, op.cit.  p. 55.
(9) The Argus, August 1, 1848, see here; The Argus, October 10, 1848, see here
Noble, Frederick Harwood and Morgan, Robert  Speed the Plough: a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV, 1981)
(11) Early Days of Berwick, op.cit.  p. 57. 
(12) The Argus, May 2, 1857, see here.  
(13) The Argus, June 9, 1858, see here.  
(14) The Argus, December 17, 1897, see here; Pakenham Gazette, July 19, 1918, see here
(15) ) Nest, Denise Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990  (Bunyip History Committee, 1990), pp. 86-89.
(16) Warragul Guardian, March 23, 1900, see here.
(17) Bunyip and Garfield Express, February 28, 1907, p. 2. 
(18) Coghlan, Barbara Protector’s Plains: history of the Lang Lang Primary school No.2899, 1888-1988 and district (CBC Publishing, 1988), p. 72.
(19) Western Port Times, March 1, 1901, see here.
(20) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, August 24, 1911, see here;  South Bourke and Mornington Journal, September 7, 1911, see hereSouth Bourke and Mornington Journal, March 28, 1912, see here.    
(21) Dandenong Journal, April 23, 1941, see here.       
(22) The Argus, April 15, 1941, see here.