CEO Update - July 2025

Distilling industry experts from around the world come together at Melbourne Showgrounds from July 1-4 to judge more than 800 entries in the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards.

Evaluation is based on appearance, aroma, flavour and overall impression, considering both technical quality and consumer appeal.

We are incredibly grateful for all 46 judges led by head judge Shaun Byrne and Gin Chair Seb Costello along with all the stewards who generously volunteer their valuable time to assist us with judging.

The trophy winners for the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards will be announced on Thursday 10 July in Victoria Pavilion at Melbourne Showgrounds.

A total of 26 trophies will be awarded, including 20 category Best trophies and 6 Champion trophies including Champion Australian Distiller, Champion Victorian Distiller and two new honours: Champion International Distiller and Champion Gypsy Distiller.

For those who appreciate great whiskeys, gins, brandies and other spirits, the awards presentation function is not to be missed.

Enjoy a curated cocktail style function with sumptuous finger food and the exclusive opportunity to taste the Champion Distilled Spirits for 2025. Tickets available here.

Melbourne Royal Competitions Open 

We countdown the days to the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show! With less than 100 days until the gates open on Thursday 25 September, admission tickets will go on sale to the public from 12 August.

An exclusive pre-release ticket offer will be made available to Friends of the Melbourne Royal Show one week prior, so make sure you are registered to receive the exclusive offer.

Livestock and their handlers, show horses and their champion riders, championship dogs and their owners, and poultry fanciers and their birds, along with talented bakers, creators and crafters in the Art, Craft and Cookery competition and skilled woodchoppers will all compete to win a coveted Melbourne Royal Blue Ribbon.

Thank you to everyone who has already entered for 2025.  If you haven’t already entered, many Melbourne Royal Competitions remain open, so I encourage you to visit melbourneroyal.com.au and make sure you get your entry in before the respective closing dates.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of competing to win a coveted Melbourne Royal Blue Ribbon.

A sincere thanks to the dedicated members of our Agriculture and Leisure Competitive Sections’ Committees, who generously volunteer their time to help us maximise the appeal and success of the competitions at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show. We are incredibly grateful!

Melbourne Royal Membership 

Thank you to everyone who has renewed their Melbourne Royal membership for 2025 or has joined for the first time. We are most grateful for your support and involvement as a valued member.

Being a Melbourne Royal member is the fabulous way to experience the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show and there is still time to join.

As a valued Melbourne Royal member, you can enjoy complimentary admission for you and a guest to the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show along with access to members hospitality areas and the reserved seating area in the Grandstand and at the Arena to enjoy the spectacular entertainment.

If you are planning a trip to Queensland to attend the Ekka, make sure you take advantage of the reciprocal rights on offer as a Melbourne Royal Member.     

To join today, simply visit melbourneroyal.com.au/membership and complete the online application. Alternatively, you can email membership@melbourneroyal.com.au and request an application form be mailed to you.​

Medal of the Order of Australia

Congratulations to Malcolm Sanders on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for service to the visual and performing arts through administrative roles.

Malcolm has been involved with the Art, Craft & Cookery Competition at the Melbourne Royal Show as a valued volunteer for close to a decade and in December 2023 was appointed as Chair of the Committee.

Malcolm’s interest, passion and enthusiasm to showcase and celebrate creative talent and skills is instrumental in the ongoing success of the annual Melbourne Royal Show Art, Craft & Cookery competition.

The Medal of the Order of Australia is wonderful recognition and acknowledgement of Malcom’s outstanding service to the visual and performing arts.

In closing, I thank you for your ongoing involvement and interest in Melbourne Royal and I look forward to sharing all the exciting news about the 2025 Melbourne Royal Show next month.

Brad Jenkins

Chief Executive