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As it was universally concededthat the proposed sale of the old showground and a new set-up in the Clow St. Market Reserve would be ‘to the advantage of the society and district’, in 1907 the show was held in the new Showgrounds, on a 10 year lease from the Council who stipulated where to place the pavilion (which was relocated from the old site), fencing, oval trotting course formed in the middle with pens placed on east & west sides for the animals.
A grandstand was added in 1912, having been purchased from Caulfield Racecourse for £150. Funds were raised by the issue of 35 x £5 debentures and a ‘Village Fair” organized by the Ladies committee.
The Society decided to change it’s name at this time. Now it became, and has remained ever since:
THE DANDENONG AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL SOCIETY.
At the Jubilee Show, a new feature was introduced on the suggestion of Mr. A. C. W. Bailey – The Grand Parade. Thursday 1st December was declared a public holiday for the show and the town’s business people assisted by closing their establishments. The State Governor the Earl of Stradbroke honored the Society by attending and officially opening the show. Entries that year set a new record of 1194 people, never had the society held such a large show. Something new for Dandenong was the advertising of local industries with special exhibits by local firms and some from the metropolis.
1923 “It was significant of changing times that at this show ‘motor exhibits competed with jinkers and buggies” Ansaldo, Berliet, Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet cars were displayed by local agents. 1924 show (opened by Hon SM Bruce Prime Minister) ‘underlying the impending transition to motor transport it was reported that ‘motor cars to the value of several thousands of pounds were parked in the carriage reserve, to say nothing of buggies, gigs, waggonettes and other means of vehicular transport’.
In 1927 – luncheon speeches were broadcast on radio station 3LO.
Wes Williams’ amplifiers appeared in the show ring for the first time in 1933.
1936 saw the show day change from the traditional Thursday to the second Saturday in November, which still remains in place today.
Dandenong had no showground in the early 1940s – the Army had taken the area – but two successful combined shows were held with Berwick in 1940 & 1941. Alas, while the Army were still in residence, the show Grandstand burnt down in 1944.
Dandenong was still a country town in 1945, surrounded by farms and a scattering of rural villages at Springvale, Noble Park, Keysborough and Hallam. Farmers on horseback, were still droving their cattle through Dandenong’s streets to market. Some manufacturing industry was being introduced: Ordish Fire Brick Works; Dandenong Bacon Factory and Dandenong Butter Factory, along with a migration boom which was to see Dandenong on the doorstep of a change from rural to urban.
Fat cattle were introduced for the first time in 1946 and in 1951 Olympic jumps for equestrians.
