Agricultural shows have been a part of Australian culture since 1822 and are strongly connected to local communities, through educational, competitive, social and cultural experiences.
There is no doubt these shows are still important events, where local communities can gather, celebrate their farming achievements, and showcase livestock and produce.
Many Queensland shows, including Maleny, have long and proud histories.
The Blackall Range and the Maleny District have often been called the “Garden of Eden”, due to its ideal climate, scenery, productivity and generous rainfall.
From humble beginnings in 1923, the first Maleny Show was held on the same showgrounds site on Maleny-Stanley River Rd.
For some years during the Great Depression, the show was unfortunately abandoned – namely in 1932, 1934 and 1935.
A drought in 1950 also resulted in the show being cancelled in that year.
In 2020, history was made again, with the closure of the 83rd Maleny Show, due to the Covid-19 regulations. Agricultural shows, such as Maleny’s, would not be successful without the tireless work of local volunteers, who provide so much of their time to make the show a success.
The Maleny Show volunteers began with Maleny’s first show on June 26 and 27, 1923, in pouring rain.
Although the economy was still recovering from the World War I, there was enough pride in the region’s agricultural production to generate interest in the show.
Facilities were sparse, so the ladies of the district provided meals and refreshments from a tent on the hill.
A wood stove was used for cooking and, if mother was lucky, she might have an ice chest or, in later years, a kerosene refrigerator to keep food cool.
Delicious food is still served at the show, with a wide range of options to pick from. Many of the recipes and cakes on display originated in those early years, with family recipes handwritten into exercise books and passed down over the years.
The Maleny Show Society used plans supplied by the Caboolture Show Society to construct an industrial pavilion, which was already used for the second annual show, on April 23 and 24, 1924.
On July 30, 1926, the Nambour Chronicle described the Maleny Show, then in its fourth year, as “Wonderful!”
“It seemed this expressive adjective was on everybody’s lips during those two Maleny show days,” the story read.
“The picturesque little showground has again been vastly improved during the past 12 months.
“Now we can notice a neat grandstand which will seat approximately 300 people and a spacious big pavilion, which were not on the ground 12 months ago.
“The committee and general public must have worked like Trojans to transform a patch of thick virgin scrub into the improved ground they have at present, and all in five short years.”
In this review of the 1926 show, the paper gave high praise to the region’s cattle.
“Of course, as can only be expected in a rich dairying district such as Maleny, the dairy cattle were an outstanding feature of the show.” P.L. Nott MLA officially opened the show and the new purpose-built grandstand in 1926.
He described the grand parade of prize-winning stock as “a most interesting event, displaying fully Maleny’s wealth of stud stock”.
In 1927 the entertainment committee of the Maleny Show Society held a Pioneers Ball at the Maleny School of Arts, in honour of the hardworking pioneers of the district.
Mr A Bryce welcomed the guests, saying it was to honour the men and women who, with strong hearts, had laid the foundations of what was to become a prosperous community.
Renovations and extensions followed throughout the years, with the Show Pavilion completely rebuilt in 1987 by Ed Lawley & Co, just in time for the 50th Annual Show.
In 1988, the show became known as the Caloundra City Show and then in 2008, due to council amalgamation, reverted to being called the Maleny Agricultural Show.
In 2023, we are proudly celebrating 100 years of the Maleny Show on June 2nd and 3rd- see you there!
Main image: The first Maleny Show – April 1923
