News

A cup full of show history

By Bree Harding

Oct 9, 2025

The rejuvenated trophy has been on display at Maculata Lodge in Shepparton. Photo by Megan Fisher

Before last year’s Shepparton Agricultural Show, Rob Slee spied a blackened cup on a shelf in the back of the show society office.

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Curious, she pulled it out to discover it was a Shepparton Horticultural Society perpetual trophy, named in honour of prominent Goulburn Valley fruit-growing identity A.G. Perry, Esq, that was once awarded annually to the best district flower display.

The shields on its wooden base start at 1937 and go well into the 1960s, with CWA clubs Ardmona, Congupna Road and Shepparton engraved on several plaques after taking out several top gongs throughout the award’s active years.

Ribbons and show literature made up a comprehensive cup display at Maculata Place ahead of this year’s Shepparton Agricultural Show. Photo by Megan Fisher

Rob set to work polishing the piece with Silvo metal polish after she found it.

“I nearly went through a whole bottle bringing it back to a silver colour,” she said.

She then took it for professional polishing and protective sealing before putting it on display at Shepparton Villages’ Maculata Lodge, alongside other showtime memorabilia including ribbons and literature, ahead of this year’s show.

The grand old trophy will be moved to the showgrounds and displayed among this year’s horticultural exhibits, where Rob is hoping others might also be inspired to revive the award in future, given it still has some room on its base for more plaques.

The Shepparton Agricultural Show is on Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11.