POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Lifesavers' showbag from the Sydney Royal Easter Show

Object No. P3390

Showbags are now a vital part of a vist to the Sydney Royal Easter show, they are a uniquely Australian product, first appearing at the Easter Show in 1909 when food companies gave away sample bags with free products to attract larger crowds to their stands. Sydney’s Royal Easter Show came from agricultural beginnings. In 1822 in a new and small colony the Royal Agricultural Society was formed with the intention of increasing livestock within the colony and sharing farming practices. The first show was held the following year in Parramatta. They initially probably contained confectionery such as boiled lollies or chocolate. Samples of Cadburys are recorded as being a popular give away by 1914. Initially, samples were handed out, then they were placed in labelled paper bags to increase the exposure of the brand they advertised. By the 1920s the inclusion of small toys or trinkets meant a cost was put on the bag. A huge variety of products have featured in showbags; including laundry powder, disinfectant, hardware, biscuits, pretzels, peanuts, mint sauce, flour, cheese, honey, margarine, confectionary, chewing gum, and boot polish. After the Second World War showbags expanded to include toys, films and TV shows, they have charted the popularity of characters such as Mickey Mouse in the 1930s through to the A Team, Startreck and Bananas in Pyjamas. In 1966, there were about thirty-five different showbags to choose from, today there are hundreds and an entire showbag pavilion. Anni Turnbull, Curator, March 2022