1876/77 – The Shepparton Agricultural Society was established with the first Shepparton Agricultural Show held on-site, bounded by Nixon, Welsford and Marungi Streets in 1877.
1878/79 – The second and third shows were held.
1883/84 – The first show competitions for reaper and binder field trials were held at Kialla. Stripping competitions were added in 1884, held at Forge’s farm.
1889 – The Shepparton Show moved to its present site at Benalla Road, set across 25 acres, nine of which were freehold.
1898 – A new grandstand was reportedly in use, having been purchased for 85 pounds and relocated from the racecourse.
1906 – A new grandstand was built, designed by J A K Clarke
1912 – The main memorial gates were completed
1913/14 – New grandstand renovations were completed
1927 – The showgrounds were enlarged through the addition of freehold land. During the 1920s and 30s, the Shepparton Agricultural Show was regarded as the largest agricultural show in Victoria.
1932 – Chamber of Commerce Hall erected
1940 – The showgrounds became the site of No. 2 Infantry Training Depot, later renamed No. 3 AIF Depot
1940/46 – No agricultural shows were held during World War II while the grounds were occupied by armed forces.
1946 – The first post-war show was held and reportedly generated record profits
1947/51 – Shepparton hosted a three-day ‘Grand National Show’, officially becoming a three-day event in 1951.
1952 – A night show was introduced, along with night trotting meetings
1960/73 – New amenities continued to be added to the site, including the Philips Pavilion in 1960, a secretary’s office was added in 1962, a Pig Pavilion (1963), Sheep Pavilion (1965), Horticulture and Cattle Pavilions (1966), animal nursery (1967), cattle steward’s office (1971), and J.S. Wall and Stan Osmond Pavilions in 1973.
1975 – The inaugural National Dairy Show was held
1976 – The society marked 100 years since its inception
1977 – Golden Jubilee Show
1991 – Springnats Car Show first held at Showgrounds, with 40,000 in attendance
1993 – Rookies Return for the 50th anniversary reunion of Army and Air Force personnel
2003 – Greater Shepparton City Council began a substantial redevelopment of the showgrounds with financial assistance from the Victorian Government.
2006/10 – The McIntosh Centre was completed, and the public art piece The Farmer was unveiled, as part of ongoing works. Further developments during this time included air-conditioning at the McIntosh Centre, refurbishing and lighting the upper level of the grandstand, and installing gateway entry features, and showground shedding.
2011 – By this time, the Shepparton Show was held across two-days, featuring a sideshow arena, animal nursery, dairy cattle competition, woodchopping, art and craft, fashion parade and fireworks. Redevelopment works continued at the showgrounds.
2013/14 – Council’s annual report recorded 89 events at the showgrounds and attendance of around 65,000 people during the year. The eastern promenade works were completed in preparation for the major outdoor open-space project.
2015 – A major $1.5M upgrade began in January. The project included a much larger grassed area, improved drainage and irrigation, two new light towers, a bitumen promenade linking the eastern and western areas, improved lighting and a new toilet block with 10 toilets, including an accessible toilet. The Victorian Government contributed $500,000. The grassed arena was completed later that year, effectively bringing the major development program that had begun in 2003 to a significant milestone. Council described the refurbished venue as an opportunity to attract major events and relaunch the agricultural show. 2015 was seen as an opportunity to showcase the region’s agricultural industries and the food produced in Greater Shepparton, as well as entertaining and educating the community, encouraging the return of families looking for entertainment and education that traditional agricultural shows provide. That year there were 10,600 attendees to the show.
2016 – The 140th annual Shepparton Show was a major milestone, featuring an Anniversary Parade, expanded entertainment and family activities. Attendance reached approximately 17,000.
2017 – Show horse competitions were held at Tatura Park, expanding the show’s horse program.
2018 – 142nd annual Shepparton Show saw even more new attractions including ferret racing, alongside circus entertainment, chainsaw carving, whip cracking, performing horses and the animal nursery.
2020/22 – The Showgrounds and McIntosh Centre were useful community infrastructure during the COVID-19 period. In 2022, for example, the McIntosh Centre was used as a GV Health COVID-19 vaccination hub before the service moved to Wyndham Street.
2022 – The 146th annual Shepparton Show returned after the two-year COVID interruption, attracting approximately 13,000 people. The showgrounds again served as a vital community refuge with the McIntosh Centre used as an Emergency Relief Centre during the October 2022 floods, forming part of the response to supporting hundreds of displaced residents.
2023 – The Showgrounds continued to expand beyond the annual agricultural show, hosting events such as the inaugural Victorian Shepparton Brick Show at the McIntosh Centre. The 147th annual Shepparton Show continued the show’s strong return and its traditional mix of agriculture, livestock, community and entertainment.
2024 – The risk of avian flu saw poultry show events and competitions cancelled.
2025 – The 149th annual Shepparton Show introduced new branding and signage as part of the lead up to the 150th anniversary. The Agricultural Society also introduced a popular dog high-jump competition, one example of how the show has continued to add new attractions while retaining its traditional agricultural competitions. Attendance was approximately 16,000.
2026 – The Shepparton Show reaches its 150th anniversary, with the 150th annual show scheduled for October 9-10. Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC has accepted an invitation to attend the 150th anniversary celebrations, becoming the third Governor-General to attend the show.
