The Geelong Showgrounds in

Geelong Geelong ( ) (Wathawurrung language, Wathawurrung: ''Djilang''/''Djalang'') is a port city in Victoria, Australia, located at the eastern end of Corio Bay (the smaller western portion of Port Phillip Bay) and the left bank of Barwon River (Victo ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India * Victoria (state), a state of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a provincial capital * Victoria, Seychelles, the capi ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, are the home of the Royal Geelong Show, an

agricultural show An agricultural show is a public event exhibiting the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show (a judged event or display in which selective breeding, bree ...

held every year since 1855. The current showgrounds are located in the suburb of

Breakwater Breakwater may refer to: * Breakwater (structure), a structure for protecting a beach or harbour Places * Breakwater, Victoria, a suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia * Breakwater Island, Antarctica * Breakwater Islands, Nunavut, Canada * ...

. The focus of the Royal Geelong Show is the display of rural industry, including

livestock Livestock are the Domestication, domesticated animals that are raised in an Agriculture, agricultural setting to provide labour and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, Egg as food, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The t ...

and

produce In American English, produce generally refers to wikt:fresh, fresh List of culinary fruits, fruits and Vegetable, vegetables intended to be Eating, eaten by humans, although other food products such as Dairy product, dairy products or Nut (foo ...

, with associated competitions and awards. The show also features

amusement rides Amusement rides, sometimes called carnival rides, are mechanical devices or structures that move people to create fun and enjoyment. Rides are often perceived by many as being scary or more dangerous than they actually are. This could be due to ...

, a

sideshow alley A sideshow alley is an Australian term for the cluster of attractions that may accompany public events such as agricultural shows. It is similar to the American term ' midway'. Australian sideshows typically comprise a variety of amusement rides ...

, and

showbag A showbag is a themed bag of commercial products, novelty items and promotional merchandise, usually made available for purchase. It is a distinctive feature of Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a countr ...

s, carry bags full of goodies produced by various commercial enterprises.

History

The Geelong and Western District Agricultural and Horticultural Society was formed in February 1855. The first showgrounds site was in East Geelong, south of Eastern Park. It was bounded by Ryrie, Garden, Myers and Normanby Streets. The second showgrounds opened in October 1891, on a new site that ran south from Ormond Road to St Albans Road. A 40-metre-long wooden

grandstand A grandstand is a normally permanent structure for seating spectators, typically at sports stadiums and including both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium i ...

was provided. In 1907, the showgrounds were again moved, this time to the new

Geelong Racecourse The Geelong Racecourse is a major regional horse racing venue in Geelong, Victoria, Geelong, Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. The current racecourse dates to 1908. The annual Geelong Cup is held at the course every October, as well as ...

. On 14 April 1907, Messrs McCoy and Son transported the grandstand from the old site. Weighing 100 tonnes, it was moved across the Queenscliff railway line by a

traction engine A traction engine is a steam engine, steam-powered tractor used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin ''tractus'', meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any ...

, after being placed on 52 large rollers. The stand remained at the current racecourse until at least the early 1990s. The agricultural society shared the Geelong Racecourse until 1954, when it moved to the current site.

References

External links

{{coord, -38.1705, 144.3744, type:landmark_region:AU, display=title Buildings and structures in Geelong Tourist attractions in Geelong Showgrounds in Australia