Mr William B. Cumming
Conviction of character earns councillor a lasting legacy
William B. Cumming was the kind of outspoken, passionate character adored by newspaper editors.
In 1889 he penned a letter to the editor of the Camperdown Chronicle, questioning the date of his local Camperdown Show. He argued the date didn’t allow for those living outside of Camperdown to travel or send their exhibits forward, particularly as a full moon wasn’t on the horizon. William declared “it appears to me that the Camperdown people wish to keep the show to themselves and as far as I’m concerned, they are quite welcome.”
He wasn’t shy in taking responsibility for his opinions either. “I will not go behind the bush as many of your contributors do, under a nom de plume, but subscribe myself - Yours, William Cumming, Mount Fyans, March 6.”
The son of one of the most foremost breeders of high class merino sheep and Ayrshire cattle in Victoria, William became a councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) in 1891. He was vice-president in 1909 for one term.
In 1912 the society erected an uncovered grandstand at a cost of £1,031. It was later named the Cumming Stand in recognition of William B. Cumming’s contribution to the RASV and the Melbourne Royal Show.
A blueprint of the Showgrounds from 1948 showing the Cumming Stand. Melbourne Royal Heritage Collection.