Recreate the Past with History Detectives — and Win!
Take part in the brand-new History Detectives challenge — a free, interactive activity for all ages at the Melbourne Royal Show.
Use the seven historical photos below (or find them on Instagram) as your map. Locate the matching spots around the Showgrounds and recreate each shot — the more creative, the better!
Share your photos on social media, tagging @MelbourneRoyalShow and using #historydetectives, for your chance to win — the more locations you find and the more creative your photos, the better your chances of winning.
Winners will be notified on social media.
Finger Lickin' Good
Did you know the Melbourne Royal Show once served up KFC to hungry visitors in the 1990s? Alongside iconic Show treats like the Dagwood Dog, fast-food favourite KFC was part of the ever-evolving dining scene.
Clue: This KFC pop-up was located in front of where Melbourne Royal members can dine.
Komatsu Monster
Designed especially for the Melbourne Royal Show, the Komatsu Monster thrilled crowds as the centrepiece of night-time entertainment in the mid-1990s. With its roaring presence and jaw-dropping stunts, it quickly became a fan favourite and a highlight of the Show’s evening program.
Clue:To relive the excitement today, look to where horsepower, and spectacular entertainment continue to wow Show audiences.
Young Bull and Herdsman
Originally displayed at Royal Academy in London, the Young Bull and Herdsman was brought to Melbourne for the 1888 Centennial Exhibition. It then called the National Gallery of Victoria home until 1941, when it was gifted to Melbourne Royal. A symbol of Melbourne Royal's commitment to guiding and supporting agriculture in Victoria.
Clue: These days the statue greets visitors to the Melbourne Royal office, and keeps a watchful eye on the Adventure Carnival.
Showbags Through the Ages
In the 1920s, stallholders at the Melbourne Royal Show began offering small branded bags so visitors could carry home the products they sampled. These humble beginnings gave rise to the much-loved Showbag — evolving over the decades to include novelty items, toys, and themed collections featuring everything from popular characters to sporting teams. While the contents may have changed, the thrill remains the same.
Clue: To recreate this moment today, head to where walls lined with colourful bags still spark excitement for every generation.
Romney Marsh Pen
Animal competitions are at the heart of the Melbourne Royal Show, with the first exhibition of stock taking place at least as early as 1854. Generations of farmers have taken pride in winning ribbons and rosettes for their animals since.
Clue:Although the winners of this year's Sheep Competition will only be around from Thursday 25 September to Saturday 27 September, you can meet a range of breeds - including Romneys - at the Heritage Sheep Display in a building holding farm animals.
Show-Stopping Rolls
The Art, Craft, and Cookery Competition at the Melbourne Royal Show has been running since 1911. That year, there were just 172 entries, but the competition has since grown to feature over 4,000 different artworks, craft pieces, and items of cookery. Although the design for the prize cards has changed since the ones in this picture from 1976, Swiss rolls are still a staple of the Cookery schedule.
Clue: Sweet, swirled, and show-stopping — look for these spiral treats where creativity meets cooking, and see how bakers turn sponge into art.
Clowning Around
The turning head and wide mouth of a laughing clown is a recognisable symbol of Show amusements. Originating from Britain, the laughing clown was reportedly brought to Australia in the 1940s following their installation at the 1939/1940 New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. Like many amusements, laughing clowns have found themselves in many different areas around the Showgrounds over the years.
Clue: Step right up and keep your eyes open for the classic sideshow that’s all laughs and fun — just around the corner from where tasty treats are served at Graze.