Horsham Ag Society - 'Maydale Reserve' Horsham Showgrounds

05/09/2026

We may have been small in number today but we achieved great things!

The challenge was to empty the shearing shed in preparation for the Horsham Show and with the job now halfway done, we’re looking forward to next weekend to finish it off.

We also got tables & chairs out for next Saturday’s wedding reception in the poultry shed and the vote counts for the Wimmera Football Netball League and Taylors Lake FNC the following week.

Fingers crossed 🤞 we’ll get some mowing, edging and weeding tackled on next weekend.

The kids certainly made the most of the downpour, with plenty of fun splashing through the puddles!

A special thank you to Lea for keeping everyone fuelled with a delicious variety of homemade slices, they were very much appreciated!

There’s always something happening at Maydale Reserve, and it’s even better when we tackle it together. Thanks to everyone who lent a hand today!

Members of the community are welcome to join us next weekend…and the next…and the next 💖

Horsham Show
Visit Horsham - Victoria
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03/09/2026

Chores for a Cause is BACK during September! 🙌

Want to come to the Horsham Show for FREE?

September is here and our working bees begin TOMORROW MORNING and we’d love your help as we prepare for the Horsham Show.

Working Bee Dates

* Saturday 5 Sept | 10am–1pm
* Saturday 12 Sept | 10am–1pm
* Sunday 13 Sept | 2pm–5pm
* Saturday 19 Sept | 10am–1pm
* Sunday 20 Sept | 2pm–5pm

Volunteer and earn rewards, including FREE Horsham Show passes and FREE ride vouchers (conditions apply).

There are jobs for all abilities, with indoor and outdoor tasks, so we’ll get plenty done rain, hail or shine. Some equipment is provided, but if you’ve got a hoe to tackle the weeds, bring it along. There’s furniture to be moved and sit down jobs to be done!

Children are welcome too as it’s a great way to learn the value of volunteering by getting involved.

Smoko is on us! ☕🍰

Bookings are preferred so we know how many cakes to bake.

Click the link below to book your spot and find out how you can come to the Horsham Show for free. 👇
https://form.jotform.com/241358523096863

02/09/2026

Today we pause to remember Don Mitchell, signwriter.

Don left his mark across Horsham and throughout the Wimmera Mallee as a talented signwriter, and his legacy will continue to be seen for years to come.

He also leaves a special legacy with the Horsham Agricultural Society. As our original signwriter, Don helped shape the look and history of our Society.

On 8 December 2017, Don tackled what he said was one of the hardest jobs he’d ever been commissioned to do, hand-painting the words “the” and “Shed” on the cattle shed. The challenge was that the font wasn’t straightforward, and he was painting onto corrugated iron instead of a flat surface. As always, he did a stellar job, even at the age of 79.

The following year, Don celebrated his 80th birthday in that very shed, which his signwriting helped transform into the function centre it is today. It was a very cold August night, but a fitting place to celebrate.

Don also dreamed of painting a magnificent rural-themed mural on our toilet block. While that dream will remain unfulfilled, it is one we will always remember as part of Don’s passion for our showgrounds.

Don spent many good times in the Maydale Pavilion with the much-loved band Shades of Troopers Creek back in the day. When Rick Stevens suggested the band returned for a bush dance, Don picked up his bass guitar once again and played on 8 February 2022. Don and wife Jan became regular and much-loved faces at our events.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his beloved wife Jan and all of his family as they farewell him today.

Vale Don Mitchell - 03/08/1938 - 21/08/2026

28/08/2026

Can you help? Driver needed 8th September.

HELP! COURIER NEEDED! 🚗🏆

Winning exhibits from the last Show season, need to get to Melbourne for judging at the Melbourne Royal Show.

Our allocated driver is now unavailable, so we need someone to transport the exhibits there.

If you’re travelling to Melbourne on Tuesday, 8 September, and can spare a little time to drop the exhibits at the Melbourne Showgrounds, we’d love to hear from you. They can be collected from the Horsham Show Office on Monday, 7 September.

If you can help showcase our talented Wimmera exhibitors on the Royal stage, please send us a message or leave a comment below.

14/08/2026

Happy 85th Birthday Barry Gross!

Catch the full story about Barry’s involvement with the Horsham Ag Society in the next article of the 150 Years of the Ag Society series in The Weekly Advertiser next Wednesday.

A couple of fun facts…
⭐️ Barry’s been a member of the Ag Society for 58 years
⭐️ His grandfather joined in 1929
⭐️ His father joined in 1949.

He’s had uncles and second cousins as well, take the Gross name along the journey for almost a century!

A pretty good effort!

12/08/2026

Our freezer has finally given up! 😩

It’s served us well and was kindly donated several years ago.

If you have a working freezer gathering dust in the shed, we’d love to give it a new home! 🙏❄️

03/08/2026

Today we said farewell to one of the Horsham Agricultural Society’s longest-serving Secretaries, Jim Wright, who passed away late last month. Jim served the Society with dedication from 1974 until 1999, leaving a legacy that will be remembered for generations.

In April, Jim dropped in to our Tuesday morning smoko to catch up with old friends and share a few stories. It was wonderful to see him again. He celebrated his 93rd birthday just last month.

At today’s service, Jim’s family shared heartfelt tributes that reflected his lifelong love of animals, both great and small. He was well known for breeding and exhibiting miniature horses and poultry, particularly his outstanding line of Silkie bantams.

Jim was a true gentleman—quick-witted, kind and always happy. His warm smile, gentle nature and wonderful sense of humour made him a pleasure to be around, and he will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Our sincere condolences go to Jim’s wife Therese and his daughters Donna and Lindy and their families. Thank you, Jim, for your many years of service, your friendship and your enduring contribution to the Horsham Agricultural Society. Rest peacefully.

30/07/2026

✨ You know the sheds… but you’ve never seen them like this. 🎄

Something magical is coming to Maydale Reserve this Christmas.

Saturday, November 28 we open our iconic spaces for unforgettable settings for end-of-year celebrations.

Whether you’re planning a work Christmas party, club celebration or private gathering, we may have the perfect space waiting for you. Fully catered.

Bookings are now open.

📧 Enquiries: [email protected]