About Us

Enriching the Community in Diverse Ways Since 1909

Where COmmunity comes to life

Who We Are: CAHRS (Since 1909)

The Canning Agricultural, Horticultural and Recreational Society (CAHRS) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of our local and surrounding communities.

We are the proud custodians of a 112-year legacy, providing the platform, resources, activities, and events that connect people through shared skills and interests.

Our History: Why Agriculture in Canning?

While Canning is now a vibrant urban centre, our Society was originally founded in 1909 to serve a crucial community: the growers, market gardeners, and primary producers who supplied the food of early Perth.

The roots of the Show began much earlier, in 1892, with the District Wildflower Show. This event fostered a focus on local flora and community spirit, signaling the growing need for a larger exhibition.

A period of significant development began in the 1890s, breathing new life into the area. This growth was spurred by the commencement of the South West Railway, with Cannington Station opening in 1897 and the Welshpool siding opening the following year.

This influx of people and small agricultural holdings led directly to the physical development of the Society’s resources. Recognising this local need, the government provided funds for building the Canning Agricultural Hall, which officially opened its doors in 1898 at the junction of Albany Road and Station Street. The Canning Agricultural Society was then formally established, successfully holding its First Agricultural Show in 1909.

Development in the early 20th century was slow. A number of dairies were established, particularly in the Queens Park/East Cannington, Ferndale, and Riverton districts. While some areas like Riverton were advertised as suitable for market gardens, success was generally limited to pockets around local swamps.

Following World War II, however, primary industries like dairying and market gardening largely disappeared due to rapid population growth and urbanisation, marking a major shift in the area’s identity.

Our Hub: The Cannington Exhibition Centre & Showgrounds

Our facility 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

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.