History & Membership

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The Society was formed in November 1910. At a meeting held in October in the Osborne Park Hotel to consider a project to build a hall and other matters, it was resolved to form a local agricultural society and within a month dairy, pig and poultry farmers, and market gardeners crowded into John Tyler's Main Street shop for the Society's first meeting.

The Society set three main goals which were to: seek expert advice and information on agricultural matters, work for the erection of an agricultural hall; and conduct an annual agricultural show.

The Society, with the support of the community, constructed its public hall at 209 Main Street, Osborne Park at a cost of 6,000 pounds ($12,000). It took less than 3 months to build and was opened on Wednesday 16 August 1912. It was one of the earliest public buildings in the district and became the venue for agricultural meetings, lectures and social gatherings.

Because of the efforts of the farmers, Osborne Park producers dominated the metropolitan areas dairying and horticultural industries. By 1916 Osborne Park was the largest contributor of milk to the city of Perth.

The Society has staged an agricultural show every year since, except during the Second World War, when in 1944 it was not possible to conduct the event due to a shortage of able volunteers. That year a fete was held to raise funds to assist those affected by the war.

In May 1964, the Society built a new hall which continues to be in use today (opposite the Post Office in Main St). Due to the urbanisation of the district occurring in the late nineteen fifties and late nineties, which saw the exodus of farmers and market gardeners from the area, there was doubt whether the agricultural show could continue. However, the Society changed the show's format in 1964 and continued to hold it on a Friday night and Saturday in early December ever since.

In 2017 the show was moved to November engaging more schools and community groups while still supporting local businesses. From 2019 the show adapted to the new look Robinson Reserve by embracing a festival presentation with international street-food and no permanent structures. The pandemic imposed a pause on the show in 2020 but, with its resumption in 2021, the show embraced a modified theme - "Food, Fun & Fireworks".

The Society is still responsible for the annual show and maintains its presence in modern day Osborne Park, supporting local businesses and activities.