I attended a humourous and interesting discussion on the 175 year history of the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia (Inc).  Presented by Rob Linn, the author of the publication Sharing the good earth, is a combination of oral history, photographs and official records of an organisation which has had a significant and lasting effect on our State.

The publication is available at the Show Ground’s office or you can order online.  It is worth the read and and wonderful resource for any library, private or educational.  Marilyn Ward, the Society’s Archivist has the records at her fingertips and it only takes an phone call (08 82105211) to arrange a time to undertake your own search.

Marilyn Ward, Archivist & rob Lunn, Author at OHAA presentation June 19, 2014

You could be surprised at your connections to the Society.  Possibly a photograph when you visited the Royal Show as a child, or an ancestor may have exhibited their produce there.  It could have been an aunty on the fashion parade catwalk, or just looking at the photographs to prompt your memories.  With the 50-year celebration of the Beatles performing in the former Centennial Hall this year, you may have been there.  Or like me remember it with dread, having to sit through numerous end of year exams crammed side-by-side in stifling heat.  What are your memories of your Show visits?

Many of you would know that I served as a Firefighter in the MFS for fourteen years.  In my early days in the service I met Joe Pitzo.  He is now deceased.  Joe was a loveable character whilst a ‘firie’.  His passion was breeding chickens and was a recognised expert in this field.  His ‘unique character’ was even more interesting as a member of the Society.  Joe and more than fifty others have had their oral history recorded and their stories can be accessed through the Society’s archives.  These beautiful, rich and passionate narratives are a window to our past and a legacy for our future.

Did you know that, other than Xmas Day, the Show Ground is used every day of the year for some event, activity, or show.