Royal Easter Show Flashback: 1992

Source: Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. 1992. "There's No Time Like Showtime" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, April 8: 46.

The 2017 Royal Easter Show commences on Thursday at the Sydney Showgrounds at Sydney Olympic Park.

Let's look back at the highlights from the 1992 Royal Easter Show.

It was the sixth last show held at Moore Park (1997 was its final year) as planning continued towards the eventual relocation of the showgrounds. Newspapers provided very valuable coverage of the events from the Easter Show including the preview guides.

Dates: April 10 - April 21, 1992

Admission & Transport:

Source: Cityrail. 1992. "Cheap Thrills" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, April 8: 46. 

Adults: $13 (Showlink - From $14.00). This was $1.50 more than 1991.

Children: $7 (Showlink - From $ 8.00)

Students & Pensioners: $10 (Showlink from $11.00)

Family discounts applied if there was a second child etc if attending as a family. They went in for free!!!

Showlink Tickets for the first time allowed show goers to use either (or a combination of) buses, trains and ferries to travel to and from the show. Paying just an extra dollar for public transport provided an incentive for people to leave the car at home. I remember my parents driving to the show that year and the car parks in Moore Park were packed to the brim as usual.

It may appear to be more affordable to the average person, but remember you could purchase either a show entry ticket only or the all in one ticket. Today each person must pay a flat admission charge which includes public transport to and from the show on all modes.

This year, an adult will be charged $41.50 for Easter Show admission (up $1 from 2016) but is lower if booked online. Purchase your ticket before Wednesday and you will pay just $37.

Highlights:

• Royal Easter Show street parade on opening day through central Sydney. 
• No guest nation for 1992. 
• Human Cannonball spectacular featuring Michael and Carolyn Vandeleur. This was the first time such an act had been done since 1966 at the show. I remember seeing human cannonballs at the 2007 show. 
• New XPT Xplorer cars on display (advertisement below). 
• Jimmy Barnes performing on the closing night. 
• The Grand Parade. 
• Peter West Stunt Spectacular

Source: Countrylink. 1992. "See the Xplorer that's going to be more famous than Captain Cook" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, April 8: 50. 

Showbags

In 2017, there are 380 bags available (up from 300+ last year), and all viewable on the Easter Show website. The choices can be overwhelming today, but in 1992, many options were there. Showbags in 2017 will sell for as high as $30. Bertie Beetle was and still is $2 though you can choose from several other Bertie Beetle Bags that retail for up to $15. There are two show bag advertisements that I've included for you to get a feel of what was available.




Source: Anon. 1992. "A Selection of Nestles Top 20 Showbags" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, April 8: 47.





Source: Anon. 1992. "A Selection of Nestles Top 20 Showbags" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, April 8: 48.





Source: Triple M. 1992. "The Triple M Showbag" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, April 8: 48.



Source: Anon. 1992. "Super Hero Stand. Your One Stop Shop" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, April 5, 139.

Key Statistics

According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald on April 22, 1992

• Total attendance was approximately 900 000 which was similar to 1991. Note that less than 750 000 attended in 2016, which was the lowest attendance in a generation. 
• 118 000 attended on Good Friday. 
• 6700 metres of hot dogs (down 700 metres from 1991). 
• 40.7 tonnes of chips 
• 5000 cubic metres was garbage was collected. 

As a bonus, I have a map of the showgrounds for the 1992 Royal Easter Show which was published in The Daily Telegraph Mirror in their preview guide on April 8.