Heritage grandstand
The Kingston Grandstand was constructed in 1902 at the nearby Smeaton Showgrounds and was moved to its present location in 1922.
History
The Agricultural Society began in Smeaton and was formed in April 1859. Within 10 years, the annual show had become the premier agricultural show in Victoria.
At the suggestion of a delegation of ladies, a grandstand was built in 1902 and an ‘All Nations Fair’ was held to raise funds for the building.
Eventually, it was decided the show would be relocated to Kingston to improve railway access. In 1922, the buildings and equipment at Smeaton, including the grandstand, were towed by a Handley-Page steam engine to the Kingston site.
Heritage listing
The grandstand is a timber building with a corrugated iron roof - partly barrel vaulted and partly skillion. The grandstand is on the Victorian Heritage Register and is of:
historical, architectural, and social significance to the State of Victoria
historical and social importance for its long associations with the Kingston Agricultural Show (one of Victoria's most famous country shows)
architectural significance for its unusual vernacular design and the high degree of physical intactness of its fabric.
Take in the view
Our magnificent grandstand is still in use today, and provides a fantastic panorama of our grounds.
The grandstand is available as part of venue hire. It has capacity for 150 seated patrons.
The grandstand is used as the ‘announcers station’ for events, including the annual Kingston Agricultural Show.
The facility is also open to visitors, and provides a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the surroundings. It is also a popular with photographers, and is worth a visit just to soak in it’s history and grandeur.