It is likely that Sheep and Wool Competitions have always been a part of the Show.The earliest recording of classes for Sheep and Wool came in 1858.The Prize Schedule contains entries for:

• Best & second best ram & ewe, for carcase
• Best & second best ram & ewe, for fitness and weight of fleece
• Best & second best fat sheep
• Best sample of washed fleece wool (50lbs)
• Best sample of hand washed wool (50lbs)

The timing of the Show tended to restrict the development of Sheep Competitions.It was not the best time of year to show sheep especially Merinos.However up to 1889 the Sheep section did contain classes for Merino and some other wool breeds and fat sheep.

There was a wool section in most years for the period 1869 to 1892, and probably earlier. This contained both wool and fleece classes. It also included the occasional class for goat or alpaca wool. For the years 1872 to1877 the classes were separated into district competitions.

In July, 1890 the Society held its first separate Sheep Show. The Easter Show did not yet have a sheep section, but a Fat Stock section which had sheep classes (as well as cattle), until 1905.

From 1906 to 1917 there was a Sheep Section containing classes for British breeds, and sometimes goats.

There was no general sheep section at the Show from 1918 to 1974 as the Society took over the NSW Sheepbreeders’ Association’s Show in 1918, and held it on the RAS Showgrounds with the assistance of the Association.

In 1940 a section was introduced to the Easter Show called Fat Lamb or Fat Lamb Carcase. This continued until 1974. From 1975 competitions for fat lambs and carcases were held outside show time. These competitions are currently known as the RAS Prime Lamb Show, and are held at Illabo.

The RAS/NSW Sheepbreeders’ Association Sheep Show was cancelled after 1974, and in 1975 a sheep and wool/fleece section was added to the Easter Show.

Early in the 1970s the Society initiated wool industry fashion shows and shearing competitions. Some other competitions initiated in recent years include:

• 1989 Fleece to Garment Competitions and Longest and finest single yarn
• 2003 RAS / ASC State Final Woollen Article/Garment
• 2004 RAS / ASC Country Show Championship Class

Inter-Colonial Sheep Show History

The Society held its first Inter-Colonial Sheep Show on the 4th of July 1890. According to the Herald, this resulted from a Government offer to award a fifty-pound prize at the April show for the best shearing machine. Council considered that insufficient notice had been given. It seems that from this perspective the Sheep Show was created with manufacturers in mind more so than pastoralists. Other commentators of the time maintained that the Society was genuinely interested in helping sheep breeders. Sheepdog trials were also conducted at the Sheep Show. The Sheep Show was held during the next two years and was combined in 1892, oddly, with a Grand Exhibition of Poultry, Pigeons and Canaries.

The Show was a success, recognised as the best Sheep Show in Australia. However the Society cancelled it after 1892 due to funding issues. Naturally, this upset sheep breeders and in 1894 the NSW Sheepbreeders’ Association was formed. In 1895 the Association held its own Sheep Show, which then became an annual event. The Easter period being a less suitable time of year for most sheep breeders to exhibit, this show became the bigger drawer of exhibitors. 

However, the Association’s Sheep Show was in a difficult location for exhibitors to get to. In 1896 the Society began opening its grounds again for a sheep show combined with sheepdog trials. In 1917 it was decided that the Society take over the Association’s Sheep Show, and carry it on as one of its annual operations with the assistance of the NSW Sheepbreeders’ Association. The title of the show became RAS of NSW Annual Sheep Show, and was conducted by a joint committee of the RAS of NSW and the NSW Sheepbreeders’ Association.

By the mid 1970s the Sheep Show was losing popularity, due to exhibitors preferring to take their stock to country shows. In 1975 it was announced that the Sheep Show be suspended indefinitely, due to falling numbers, rising costs, and insufficient facilities on the grounds. The sheep Competitions returned to the Easter Show in 1975. To increase numbers of Merino exhibits, classes were introduced for sheep shorn in August.