About Us

Enriching the Community in Diverse Ways Since 1909

Where Community comes to life

Who We Are

At the Canning Agricultural, Horticultural & Recreational Society (CAHRS) we have been a pillar of the Cannington Community for over 100 years. We are the proud not-for-profit team behind the Iconic Canning Show and the managers of the Cannington Exhibition Centre & Showgrounds.

We were originally brought together to serve the growing needs of the area, supporting the market gardeners, dairymen, and primary producers who fed early Perth. While the paddocks that were once here, have long since turned into bustling suburbs, our mission remains unchanged. We exist to bring people together and to keep the deep agricultural and horticultural history of our area alive for the next generation.

Our History

Our Society was formed to ensure the Canning community could thrive. From advancing local farming methods to lobbying for better roads, our most vital mission has always been bringing people together, our founders understood a truth that still guides us today: a connected community is a stronger community, and we are better together than we are alone.

It all started with the District Wildflower Show in 1892 a celebration of local flora and a spark of community spirit that showed we needed something bigger.

This collective spirit eventually led to our very first Official Agricultural Show in 1909, a celebration of local talent designed to inspire excellence and set a benchmark for the region’s best. By 1913 the Shows were gaining momentum, with nearly every resident in the district entering exhibits, from prized livestock to fresh produce and flowers. The grounds were alive with excitement, featuring trotting races, apple bobbing, community games and more.

From the 1930s the rural area began to meet the residential. As urbanisation swept through, many of the original farms and dairies made way for homes. Although we saw fewer livestock and vegetable entries during this time, the spirit of the Exhibition didn’t fade, it simply evolved to reflect the changing lives of residents.

In 1974 we officially changed our name to Canning Agricultural, Horticultural and Recreational Society (CAHRS), this title better suited our growth and encompassed everything we stood for.

As the area evolved, so did we. We introduced rides and showbags, with the Exhibition having already expanded into other areas like crafts and photography. Through it all, our mission remained the same: bringing the community together to celebrate one another.

Since our 2009 Centenary, we’ve reached new heights: electing our first female President (2021), completing a major venue expansion (2023), and launching a new logo (2025). Every step ensures we remain a modern Society that stays true to our 134-year roots.

Our Exhibition at the Canning Show remains one of the largest and most accessible exhibitions in WA. We may have traded cattle for crafts and photography, but every entry is celebrated with the same pride as our very first show.

Our Hub

The Cannington Exhibition Centre & Showgrounds is the heart of community activity in Canning.

Year-Round Activity: We host approximately 450 diverse events, classes, workshops, expos, and private hires in our Cannington Exhibition Centre & Showgrounds each year, facilitating connections for the business community and local groups.
The Canning Show: The Canning Show is our key annual event. It is a spectacular two-day celebration that attracts around 15,000 people annually and is defined by its iconic Exhibition, which is one of the most accessible of its kind in the state.

Our Mission Today

Our purpose remains the same: to promote the development of agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, and industrial resources by educating the community on skills, sustainability, and the provenance of their food. We are continually striving to adapt and reflect current changes, technologies, and community interests, ensuring our legacy stays relevant today. We use the resources of our Society to enrich the community by encouraging participation in:

Agricultural and Horticultural interests
Cultural and Artistic pursuits
Sport and Recreational pastimes

Download Our Constitution PDF

OUR DECORATED HISTORY

A Chronology of Significant Events in the Life of CAHRS

1892

First District Wildflower Show held

1897

With the opening of Cannington Station, people and small agricultural holdings flooded into the area.

1898

Agricultural Hall opened at Albany Rd and Station St

1909

The Society was formally established as the Canning Agricultural Society and held our very first Official Agricultural Show.

George Wilson was elected as first president of society.

1913

Nine acres of land secured for expansion.

Society affiliated with the Western Australian Trotting Association and it secured permission to hold trotting events at future shows.

1947

Society acquires 21 acres from President George Wilson prior to his death in 1951

1960s

Canning Show thrives as a major social and family event

1974

The Society began leasing land to the Greyhound Racing Association and Inaugural Greyhound race meeting opens.
We also officially changed our name to Canning Agricultural, Horticultural and Recreational Society (CAHRS)

1975

Format of the Show changed as the area evolved, so did the Show. Rides and showbags were introduced, with the Exhibition having already expanded into other areas like crafts and photography.

1984

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

1992

Original Agricultural Hall demolished for Albany 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

2009

CAHRS celebrates 100 years as an incorporated association

2012

First year supported with a Westfield Carousel partnership

2018

Over $500,000 invested to refurbish the Exhibition Hall

2020

CAHRS wins City of Canning Active Citizenship Award.
These prestigious awards celebrate individuals and organisations who are engaged and committed to our local area and have made significant contribution to their community during the past year, or those who have given exceptional service over a sustained period.

2021

First female President elected (Maxine Wylie)

2023

Major venue expansion including the New Agricultural Pavilion built, and an undercover area now known as Market Hall. ADF Cadet HQ was also upgraded.

2025

Rebranded to our new logo which better reflects our modern Society that stays true to our 134-year roots.

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.