Our History

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The Society was formed in November 1910. Dairy, pig and poultry farmers, as well as  market gardeners crowded into John Tyler's Main Street shop for the Society's first meeting. There it was resolved to form a local agricultural society and to consider outward facing projects like build a hall and hold a show.

The Society set three main goals which were to: seek expert advice and information on agricultural matters, work to raise funds for an agricultural hall; and hold 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 area 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  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 - 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 2014 the show celebrated its 100th birthday and by 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 put a pause on the show in 2020 but, with its resumption in 2021, the show returned to its roots and focussed on three foundations: "Food, Fun & Fireworks".

The Society refreshed its new logo in 2025, building on the strong connection to multi-generational families that continue to support it. The Osborne Park Show is a volunteer run event that is presented in partnership with the  City of Stirling each year.