1869 - 1881 Prince Alfred Park Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Skip to main content

1869 - 1881 Prince Alfred Park

Prince Alfred Park

Leaving its Parramatta origins behind, the country Show comes to the city

Our History

1822

Parramatta

1869 - 1881

Prince Alfred Park

1882 - 1997

Moore Park

1998 - Now

Sydney Olympic Park

Pavilion Ex Stables
1869

Metropolitan Inter-Colonial Exhibition

In pouring rain on 4 May 1869, the first ever city Show opened in Sydney at Cleveland Paddocks, later known as Prince Alfred Park. Styled as the Metropolitan Inter-Colonial Exhibition, the four-day affair injected new life into the Agricultural Society of NSW – and the city. Attendances at the Parramatta Show had been poor for several years. The rustic gatherings no longer appealed to Sydney’s fast-growing population, which had prospered from the gold rush; and for distant farmers the effort to get to Parramatta with stock or produce was not worthwhile. Via expanding rail networks, travel to a Sydney show was an easier proposition. The change was a resounding success. Over 37,000 people turned up to enjoy the new spectacle, where items of colonial manufacturing were also displayed, along with fine art. Culture had arrived at the Show.
Reform

Reform

While the Society relocated, it also reformed. It sought a new, colony-wide relevance, broadening membership across the regions, and for the first time electing a sprinkling of businessmen and scientists as Councillors.   Putting itself on a thoroughly professional footing, the Society opened a city office and library in George Street, where members could attend lectures and share information. The first full-time, paid administrator was also appointed.   After incorporation by an act of parliament in 1869, the Society was cleared to undertake more complex business arrangements. Negotiations immediately began with the Sydney Municipal Council for the provision of a big new exhibition building which the Society would rent for its shows.

"As all the branches of COLONIAL INDUSTRY are so nearly allied to agriculture, it has been deemed desirable to embrace them…"

- 1868 prize schedule

When the new Prince Alfred Park hall opened, it was the largest structure of its kind in Australia and the equal of any in Britain or Europe. With its arched roof and huge, galleried interior, it was proclaimed a masterpiece of design. Other new structures were erected in the grounds, including a large refreshment pavilion. One thousand trees were planted for beautification, and gates were installed in the perimeter fence with an ingenious mechanism for counting entrants. Almost half the population of New South Wales passed through them during the Show’s month-long run between August and September 1870.

Among them was the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred (the fourth child of Queen Victoria). Prince Alfred attended in his capacity as the commander of the visiting naval frigate, H.M.S Galatea, and not as a royal: the visit was therefore unofficial. But the Prince was so impressed by all he saw that he offered to add to the extravaganza, sending along his young pet elephant, Tom, with a keeper, to further amaze already delighted crowds.

"The huge monster is perfectly docile, and walks about the grounds with a care that might be advantageously adopted by bi-ped visitors."

- Report on Prince Alfred’s pet elephant at the 1870 Show, Australian Town and Country Journal, 24 September 1870.
Last show
1881

Last Show at the Park

In 1879 the Agricultural Society responded enthusiastically to the opportunity to be involved in the organisation of an International Exhibition in Sydney. But unrealistic expectations, inadequate funds and political discontent lead to a breakdown in relations and the NSW Government largely took over the event. A stunning new building called the Garden Palace was erected in the Botanic Garden to house the exhibition, which ran for seven months, from September 1879 to April 1880. While the International Exhibition was a major coup for Sydney and Australia, the Agricultural Society’s own events suffered. After a lacklustre final Show in 1881, the Society could no longer afford the lease on Prince Alfred Park. It was time to look for a new home and a new beginning.

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