The RAHS is pleased to announce the launch of Competition, Community, Country: Agricultural Shows in NSW, a new website that aims to introduce the history of NSW agricultural shows to the public, including students, teachers, and researchers.

With a focus on local history, particularly regional history, this website offers a new way for individuals to learn about and connect with their local community. As RAHS President Dr Iain Stuart explains, ‘the aim of the website is to encourage people to learn more about the history of agricultural shows, which are a vital part of the social fabric of regional and local communities across New South Wales. We don’t know enough history about the shows and we hope through focusing on them we can shine a light onto this important part of New South Wales’ History.’

The Agricultural Shows’ homepage contains five different themes for people to explore. The topics were chosen through a collaboration between RAHS staff, Councillors and a Macquarie University intern. The themes highlight the social, cultural and educational significance of agricultural shows in NSW, from the early colonial period to today. The website is also a platform for members of the public to share their own stories of going to the show, which are highlighted in the Community Contributions section. The website themes are academically researched, and additional resources on agricultural shows can be found in the online reference bibliography.

Agricultural Shows will be available on the RAHS website from the 1 September 2022 and will be regularly updated with new information and content from our councillors, members, affiliates and more. The website can be found here.

The launch of Agricultural Shows coincides with the launch of Country Calling: History on the Land, a special online event to be held by the RAHS on the 22 October 2022. Country Calling will feature a morning session on making history with Aboriginal peoples, and an afternoon session on the history of agricultural shows.

For more information and bookings visit the event website

The RAHS Online and Regional Seminar Program is funded by Create NSW.

The aim of the program is to promote the study, writing and dissemination of Australian history. It aims to develop historical expertise in the community that will support history and heritage projects.