Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia explained

The Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia (RASWA) was established 1831 in Western Australia.

Early history

It held its first annual agricultural show, the Fair and Cattle Show, at Guildford on 7 November 1834.[1] [2] [3]

The show was moved to the Claremont Showground in 1905,[4] when it became the Perth Royal Show.[5] [6]

In 1907, a range of other agricultural societies merged.[7] Despite the action, separate agricultural societies remain throughout the state.

Agricultural Hall of Fame

In 1999 the Agricultural Hall of Fame was established by the Society, to honour "the men and women who have significantly contributed to Western Australian agriculture and pastoral life." Each year since then (other than 2016), inductees have been chosen by a selection panel (after being nominated by members of the public) and has had their portraits commissioned and hung in David Buttfield House at Claremont Showground. The Hall of Fame was established after then-President, Lou Giglia, visited the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and was inspired by Peggy Knapp, the president of that organisation,[8] to start a similar programme in Western Australia. David Buttfield House was refurbished, and the collection of portraits are on permanent display. The gallery is open to the public during the Royal Show, and at select other times during the year.

The RASWA, as it has also been known, has survived substantial change in agriculture and agricultural practices in Western Australia in its history, and was able to celebrate with the publication of a book detailing this history in 2004.

Publications

Newsletter

Catalogues and rules

Hall of Fame Inductees

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL . . II . 97 . Western Australia . 8 November 1834 . 4 May 2019 . 386 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: We've Been Showing Off Since 1834 . . LXVII . 23,237 . Western Australia . 3 October 1949 . 4 May 2019 . 6. FINAL . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: THE FIRST SHOW—AND TODAY . . 14 . 753 . Western Australia . 3 October 1936 . 4 May 2019 . 31 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: Vigilans et Audax . The West Australian . 3 Nov 1905 . 4 . 2012-07-05.
  5. News: ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. . . XXI . 6,122 . Western Australia . 31 October 1905 . 4 May 2019 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: THE FARMER'S DAY. . . 409 . Western Australia . 5 November 1905 . 4 May 2019 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  7. "In August 1907, representatives of 19 societies met and decided to affiliate. The government was approached to pass a bill investing the Royal Agricultural Society with the necessary powers to direct affiliation of any other society in the state." – from text of library listing at
  8. Web site: Peggy Knapp (1928–2014) Inducted in 1998 . Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association .
  9. Web site: HARRINGTON Ray . 2023-01-10 .
  10. Web site: OWEN Raymond Cecil (Ray) . 2023-01-10 .
  11. Web site: Crosbie Graham . 2023-01-10 .