Griffith Show

The Griffith Agricultural Society was formed in 1920, and its first show that year would have astonished explorer John Oxley. In 1817, from Mt. Bingar, Oxley described the district as “one of the most desolate scenes” unlikely to attract settlement. That outlook changed with the completion of Burrinjuck Dam in 1913 and the channelling of irrigation water, transforming the dry land into a productive oasis. The Mirrool Irrigation Area soon became one of the State’s richest food bowls. After World War I, soldier settlers brought new farming methods and energy, playing a central role in forming the society and establishing its shows, which reflect the region’s productivity and diversity. Mrs Vera Davidge, who attended the first show and opened the 1982 event, described it as a true display of the “irrigation miracle,” showcasing rice, fruits and livestock in remarkable abundance.