About Us

Enriching the Community in Diverse Ways Since 1909

Where COmmunity comes to life

Welcome to CAHRS

A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of our local and surrounding communities.
We provide platforms, activities and events that encourage participation in agricultural and horticultural interests, cultural and artistic pursuits, sport and recreational pastimes which enrich the community through the use of the resources of the Society.

We have around 450 diverse events, classes, workshops, expos etc held in our Cannington Exhibition Centre & Showgrounds each year.

The Canning Show is our key annual event, with approximately 15,000 people annually being entertained and inspired, including through the Exhibition, one of the largest in the state of its kind.

We also promote the development of agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, viticulture and industrial resources of Western Australia through a range of activities over the last 112 years, but are continually striving to adapt and reflect current changes, technologies and community interests.

Download Our Constitution PDF

OUR DECORATED HISTORY

A Chronology of Significant Events in the Life of CAHRS

1892

First District Wildflower Show held

1898

Agricultural Hall opened at Albany Rd and Station St

1909

Canning Agricultural Society formed; first official Agricultural Show

1913

Nine acres of land secured for expansion

1922

Women’s Committee raises funds to buy five more blocks

1936

Dog Class introduced; Show dances evolve into formal balls

1947

Society acquires 21 acres from President G.H. Wilson

1953

Post-war resurgence: Show returns to pre-war standard

1960s

Canning Show thrives as a major social and family event

1974

Inaugural Greyhound race meeting opens

1978

Name changed to Canning Agricultural, Horticultural and Recreational Society

1984

Exhibition Hall built with support from Town of Canning and employment scheme

1992

Original Agricultural Hall demolished for highway widening; Cyril Vickery Pavilion rebuilt

1996

Greyhound complex loan fully repaid; Society regains full rental income

2001

R.A. (Dick) Liddelow Pavilion and Society Office built for $1.2 million

2009

CAHRS celebrates 100 years as an incorporated association

2012

Brand refresh with slogan “It’s Magic!”, mascot launched, Carousel partnership, free kids’ entry

2016

New Showgrounds officially opened on 18 October after greyhound demolition

2018

Over $500,000 invested to refurbish the Cannington Exhibition Hall

2020

Record 12,501 Show attendees; wins City of Canning Active Citizenship Award

2021

First female President elected (Maxine Wylie); Show hits 16,000 attendees with 97% satisfaction

2023

Major venue expansion: Agricultural Pavilion, Market Hall, ADF Cadet HQ; nearly 20,000 attendees

Aims

A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of our community, the objectives of the Canning Agricultural, Horticultural & Recreational Society Inc aka CAHRS are:

To promote the development of agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, viticulture and industrial resources of the State of Western Australia.

To provide platforms, activities and events, that encourage participation in agricultural and horticultural interests, cultural and artistic pursuits, sport and recreational pastimes which enrich the community through the use of the resources of the Society.

CAHRS is affiliated with the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia and is a member of the Western Australian Horticultural Council and Agricultural Shows Australia Inc.

Strategic Objectives:

Redevelop Cannington Exhibition Centre and Showgrounds through the construction of new exhibition and member activity spaces to achieve contemporary standards of venue presentation and operation to meet community desire for events such as outdoor concerts, expos, festivals, statewide and national events. And;
Promote the vision of the Canning Show as an outstanding example of a regional community event, which involves Society members in all levels of planning and operation. The Canning Show will encourage social connection, competition, education, entertainment and commerce.

Deliver skills development and life-long learning opportunities in activities that relate to the Canning Show and in particular the traditional aspects of the Show, through the provision of activities, events and workshops.
Drive volunteering and membership growth and activity level by being responsive to a wide range of age groups and cultures.

Committee of Management

The Committee Members are the persons who, as the Management Committee of the Society, have the power to manage the affairs of not-for-profit Canning Agricultural, Horticultural & Recreational Society Inc.