CEO Update - August

It would not be possible to deliver a highly successful media launch without the wonderful support of sponsors and suppliers. I thank the CWA, Sushi Hub, PURA, St Remio Coffee, The Melt Shop and Fluffy Crunch for their support along with David Graham - aka Farmer Dave, Shae and Voilet Russo and their extended family for their involvement, Sandy Creek Clydesdales, and the Woodchop brothers John and Blake Coffey.

Following the successful media launch, ticket sales for the 2024 Melbourne Royal Show are tracking well ahead of previous years for the same period. To launch the ticket sales this year, we offered 15,000 tickets for sale at $15 each, with 5000 tickets allocated to Monday 30 September, Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 October. The response was overwhelming, with these $15 tickets selling out within 48 hours.

We also announced other great value ticket offers for the 2024 Melbourne Royal Show including:

• Free admission for Children 14 years and under for the final event day on Sunday 6 October.
• Save up to 15% on admission tickets for Early Bird tickets purchased prior to 10pm on Sunday 22 September
• Save up to 25% on rides when you purchase your admission tickets
• Multi Day Show membership – admission to any two days for two people and access to member hospitality facilities plus much more for just $99, saving more than 50%.

The true stars of the Show are the livestock and their handlers, show horses and their champion riders, championship dogs and their owners, along with the skilled woodchoppers and talented art, craft and cookery enthusiasts all competing to win a coveted Melbourne Royal blue ribbon. It is wonderful to see that interest in participating this year is back to pre-covid levels, particularly in nominations for the Horses in Action competition up by 20% compared to last year and Beef Cattle competition entries are up by more than 30%. We are most grateful to everyone who has entered this year and for the wonderful support we receive from sponsors of these competitions including Spotlight, Kubota, LifeWise and Racing Victoria.

Emerging leaders in agriculture from all round Australia will converge on Melbourne Showgrounds to compete at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Show with the:

• ASA (Agricultural Shows Australia) Nationals Paraders and Youth Judges being held from Saturday 28 September to Wednesday 2 October – classes include Dairy, Grains, Beef, Meat, Sheep, Merino Sheep, Merino Fleece. All judging takes place in the Livestock Pavilion
• ASA Rural Ambassadors program is being held from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October with the awards presentation at the Future Leaders Function in the MasterChef Kitchen
• VAS (Victorian Agricultural Shows) Rural Ambassadors program is being held on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October with the presentation at the Future Leaders Function in the MasterChef Kitchen
• The Young Farmers Challenge including the State and National Finals will be held on the Arena on Saturday 5 October before the evening entertainment commences.

​Following the 2024 Melbourne Royal Show, we have a huge line up of events, exhibitions, award nights, gala dinners, and conferences being at Melbourne Showgrounds including:

• Melbourne Annual Wedding Expo (13 October)
• SSAA Shot Show (19-20 October),
• Dog and Cat Lovers Festival (26-27 Oct),
• Equitana (14-17 November),
• Motors & Masterpieces (22-24 November).​

The National 4x4 Outdoor Show held at Melbourne Showgrounds from 23-25 August was a huge success. This event has been held at the Showgrounds since 2009, proving to be the ideal venue to showcase the incredible variety of outdoor leisure products and experiences for sale, from caravans, boats and 4WD to holidays and camping and fishing equipment. I thank the organisers, Exhibition & Trade Fairs (ETF) for choosing to hold the National 4x4 Outdoor Show at Melbourne Showgrounds and trust that exhibitors and visitors had an enjoyable experience.

Melbourne Royal’s 2024 AGM was held online on Tuesday 27 August and I am pleased to confirm Kate O’Sullivan was re-elected as a Melbourne Royal Board Director.

Jason Ronald OAM, chose not stand for re-election as a Melbourne Royal Board Director. I want to take this opportunity to thank Jason and acknowledge the significant contribution to Melbourne Royal. Jason’s involvement with the Melbourne Royal and in particular the Show spans more than 50 years. Jason is a Life Councillor, Honorary Life Member and has served on the Melbourne Royal Board since 2009.

Jason’s interest, passion and involvement with Melbourne Royal is second to none. Most notably Jason has been very involved in our Horses in Action program for more than 50 years and in particular the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout including being the Councillor in charge from 1991 to 2004. Jason was instrumental in the Garryowen Hall of Fame being established and has been Chair of this advisory group from inception in 2009.

Jason has also been an active participant in our Heritage Committee and was heavily involved in creating the program of activities for us to proudly celebrate 175 years of our organisation in 2023.

On behalf of all Directors, management and staff, I thank Jason for his support, counsel, involvement and incredible contribution; and we look forward to Jason continuing to attend Melbourne Royal events for many years to come including this year’s Melbourne Royal Show.

Thank you for your ongoing interest in Melbourne Royal, and I look forward to providing you with more information on the exciting program for the 2024 Melbourne Royal Show in our special Show edition of the newsletter in September.

Brad Jenkins
Chief Executive
Melbourne Royal®