Arts & Crafts

The first Arts & Crafts entries were in 1869 in the ‘Works of Art’ section and included painting, drawing and models. There was a strong desire by the Society to ‘improve taste and develop the artistic faculty’ of the colony. By 1888 women’s crafts were included – needlework, knitting, spinning and leatherwork - and the competition had well and truly begun. Recognised today as the biggest Arts & Crafts competition in Australia, attracting over 4,900 entries in almost 300 classes, the competition is honouring the creative men and women of the past 150 years with feature displays of craft through the decades. Never before have so many crafts come together in one incredible display.

Aviary Bird

In 1869 Aviary Birds were referred to as ‘caged birds’, consisted mainly of canaries and were judged in the Poultry Competition. By 1907 the competition name had officially changed to Poultry, Pigeons, Canaries and Cage Birds and began to include parrots, finches and budgerigars. In 2017 the competition was renamed Aviary Birds.

Cat

The Cat Show is part of the Domestic Animals Section, which aims to promote public understanding of the place of Domestic Animals within our community, by conducting the best competitions for cats, dogs and other Domestic Animals in Australia.

Cattle

In 1824 the Agricultural Society assessed 130 head of cattle and awarded a prize of ‘A Piece of Plate’ valued at 40 Spanish Dollars to Reverend Samuel Marsden for the Best Colonial Bred Bull. George Cox Esq received ‘A Piece of Plate’ valued at 20 Spanish Dollars for his Best Colonial Bred Heifer.

District Exhibits

In 1876 Show societies from around the state were asked to mount displays of their produce, and thus the District Exhibits display was under way. By 1900 the state government could see the value in promoting the hard work and lush produce of each district and provided some prize money, and in 1911 the Perpetual Shield was first presented, and the spirit of competition was alive and well. In 1950 the five permanent districts were finalised and represented the Southern, Northern, Western and Central regions of NSW along with South East Queensland. Today each display consists of more than 10,000 pieces of fresh produce – and only the best of the best makes its way into the display.

Dog

The first competitions for dogs were held at the 1869 Show and included greyhounds, pointers, bloodhounds and beagles and they have been wagging tails on the Dog Judging Lawns ever since. In 1901 it was deemed appropriate to also judge dog biscuits and best food adapted for dogs, but it took until 1931 to decide it was time to also award Best in Show. The ADVANCE™ Sydney Royal Dog Show is one of the most keenly anticipated in the country, providing an opportunity for thousands of dog owners to present their best bred friends to the judges.

Frogs & Reptile

The Sydney Royal Frog & Reptile Show is one of the favourite animal competitions at the Sydney Royal Easter Show after becoming an official Sydney Royal Competition in 2011. With 'Sydney Royal' attached to its name, the Competition is fast becoming the largest of its kind in the Country.

Goat

Although Angora goats were first imported to NSW in 1823 it wasn’t until 1869, they were judged and that was in the sheep competition.

Horse

Pig

Pigs came to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 when 32 pigs were picked up in Cape Town for the eight-week journey to Botany Bay.

Poultry & Pigeon

The Poultry competition was first held in 1858 and included ducks, geese, chickens and rabbits. This soon expanded to include pheasants, quail and even egg production. At various times throughout the late 1800s, the competition has included canaries, guinea pigs and even cats, although it did make perfect sense to add in turkeys in 1895.

The Great Backyard Pumpkin Challenge

Carefully packed aboard the ships of the First Fleet, pumpkin seeds made the journey to Australia in 1788 and managed to grow quite well in the new climate.

Rabbit

Rabbit Competition is part of the Domestic Animals Section, which aims to promote public understanding of the place of Domestic Animals within our community, by conducting the best competitions for rabbits, cats, dogs and other Domestic Animals in Australia.

Rat & Mouse

The Rat & Mouse Competition is one of the newer Agricultural Competitions at the Show. Introduced as a non-competitive exhibit in 2003, the Rat & Mouse Show was officially included in the Sydney Royal competitions in 2004.

R.M.Williams RAS Rural Achiever Award

The R.M.Williams RAS Rural Achiever Award is a state-wide leadership program run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW to recognise future young leaders (20-29 years of age) who are working hard to make a significant contribution to their community and to rural Australia.

Rodeo & Campdraft

The Scarecrow Competition

Traditionally used to keep birds away from your crops, scarecrows have stood in fields for 2,500 years everywhere from Ancient Greece and Egypt to medieval Britain and Japan, but their presence at the Sydney Royal Easter Show only dates back to 2019.

School Competitions

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is the largest classroom in New South Wales, it is the place to come to discover how to milk a cow or shear a sheep, how to grow the biggest pumpkins in Australia and even how to use horsepower for electricity. It is also the place students can come and show what they have learned and to be judged for the hard work in agricultural pursuits. In 1875 the first competitions for school students were held – in the areas of needlework, wood carving, natural history collections and drawing. By 1904 school competitions had expanded to include the first display of farm produce by school children – a precursor to the Schools District Exhibit Competition, and in 1935 junior judging of cattle was introduced. The tradition of exhibiting and judging for schools continues today and includes poultry, pig, goat, honey and scarecrows. Entry is free for all schools – city, metropolitan rural and regional.

Sheep & Fleece

The first Show held by the Agricultural Society, back in 1824, had 42 pens of sheep and a prize of forty Spanish dollars to go to the best group of Australian Merino Rams and to the best group of Australian Merino Ewes. William Howe Esq of Glenlee won for his rams, and Rev Samuel Marsden of Parramatta for his ewes. 

The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman 2023

The Competition aims to find a young female Ambassador for rural NSW and the agricultural show movement.

Sydney Spring Garden Competition

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW has a long and rich horticultural history. Since 1929, Flower and Garden competitions have featured at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. In 2022, The Sydney Spring Garden Competition will continue the tradition of fostering excellence in horticulture.

Woodchopping & Sawing Competition

Rumour has it that the first ever woodchopping competition was held between two axemen in Tasmania in 1870, betting on who could first fell a tree, but it took almost thirty years for woodchop to make its way to the Show in Sydney.

Young Auctioneers

In 1989, the NSW Stock and Station Agents Association INC held its first Young Auctioneers Competition where the winner received the John Weekes Memorial trophy.

Young Farmer Challenge

The RAS Young Farmer Challenge is the ultimate test of skill and ability, with young farmers showcasing their expertise in a series of on-farm challenges.

Young Judges

The RAS Young Judges competitions are an opportunity for 15-25 year olds to try their hand in judging a variety of different exhibits such as Alpacas, Goats, Horses, Pigs, Poultry and Horticulture.