CEO Update: August 2026

Volunteers are at the heart of the Melbourne Royal Show. Each year the Melbourne Royal team rely on dedicated volunteers to help us maximise the appeal and success of the iconic event.  We are incredibly grateful for the community interest and support that we have received from people keen to volunteer this year. We have already received 400 applications from people eager to volunteer and help us create a fun, welcoming and inclusive visitor experience. To everyone who has already applied, thank you! Your willingness to give your time, energy and enthusiasm helps make the Melbourne Royal Show such a special event for our community. If you are interested in volunteering at the 2026 Show, it’s not too late to register your interest. To learn more and how to apply, visit our Volunteer Hub.

Melbourne Royal also proudly offers internships for secondary and tertiary students to gain valuable practical experience during the Melbourne Royal Show to support their career aspirations and professional development. We are delighted this year to welcome a high achieving final-year Bachelor of Business and Arts student who is majoring in Marketing at Monash University as an intern in our marketing team.

Prior to the Melbourne Royal Show we are holding our 2026 AGM. To maximise the opportunity for members to attend, we are holding the AGM online from 11.30am on 25 August. A key item of business is the election of a new Director to the Melbourne Royal Board, with two candidates standing to fill one vacancy. Further details regarding the AGM and in particular voting for a new Director are outlined in the article below. We look forward to welcoming the successful applicant to the Board and being involved with the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show.

Before I officially sign off as Chief Executive at Melbourne Royal on Monday 31 August, I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved and affiliated with Melbourne Royal particularly Directors, management and staff, along with members, exhibitors, suppliers, sponsors and wonderful volunteers.

Melbourne Royal is a remarkable organisation that has great people, culture, reputation, brand and history along with iconic events and venues, and world class food and beverage award programs. The past eighteen years working at Melbourne Royal and in particular the last seven serving as Chief Executive has been a great honor and privilege and I leave with great memories. My tenure at Melbourne Royal has been the catalyst for forming many wonderful friendships and connections for which I will forever be grateful and look forward to maintaining these in the future.

For now, our attention is focused on the upcoming 2026 Melbourne Royal Show, and I trust the event will be a great success for all involved and bring much joy and happiness to the Victorian community.

All the best,

Brad Jenkins

Chief Executive