About WAPA

The West Australian Poultry Association (Inc) or WAPA was formed in 1889, as the West Australia Poultry and Dog Society.  In 1913 the W.A. Kennel Club took control of all dog registrations, although the W.A. Poultry and Dog Association continued to manage shows for both poultry and dogs.  Sometime between 1919 and 1921 the W.A. Poultry and Dog Association was formally relieved of its canine component and became the W.A. Poultry Association, although it is not clear exactly when due to the interchangeable use of the two names during that period.

As can be seen from the attached news articles, the show was held at various venues including the Perth Town Hall, a skating rink, agricultural showgrounds, the WACA ground and halls in Maylands, North Perth and Fremantle. The shows were mostly held over a period of two or three days and were regularly held during the week rather than on the weekend. Monthly meetings were held at night in a range of venues in the Perth city.

It seems that during the 1930’s both the Young Stock Show & the Annual Championship show were held at the Claremont Showgrounds. By the late 1940’s or early 1950’s shows had become one day events held on either a Saturday or Sunday, with the exception of the 100th Championship Show which was a two-day show and celebrated by a well-attended dinner held on the Saturday night in the RAS Members Pavilion.

Shows continued to be held at Claremont fairly constantly until the Young Stock Show was discontinued around the late 1980’ s due to the increasing number of other shows being held. The Annual Championship Show continued to be held at Claremont Showgrounds until increasing rental cost and decreasing member support forced alternative venues to be sought around the late 2000’ s. 

The Association has found it difficult to maintain sufficient support for it to continue in the manner of the past and between 2017 and 2020 no championship Show was held.