Holbrook Show

The Holbrook Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society was formed in 1881 as the Germanton Pastoral and Agricultural Society. The town, originally named Germanton in 1858 after innkeeper John Pabst, was renamed Holbrook in 1915 amid World War I anti-German sentiment, honouring Royal Navy submarine commander Lieutenant Norman Holbrook, VC. The society’s first event was a ploughing contest in 1881, followed by the first full show in 1882 at the “Pub Paddock” near the town. Livestock dominated the earlier programmes, with Murray Grey cattle making their show debut here. The original “Pub Paddock” has since been transformed, with major developments including poultry, cattle and sheep pavilions. The Holbrook Sporting Complex Multi-purpose Stadium was officially opened in 1979.