QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The Groundz (Dapto Showground) is one of the few remaining freehold (privately owned) showgrounds in New South Wales and is owned and operated by Dapto A&H Society Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity. The land is not State, public or Crown land. Ownership records are maintained by NSW Land Registry Services. In the late 1800s, Mr Patrick Hill Osborne donated 10 acres of land to provide Dapto A&H Society with a permanent home close to the growing township of Dapto. Over subsequent years, the Society acquired six adjoining parcels of land, expanding the site to its current footprint of approximately 22 acres. The land was originally held in trust until the trust was dissolved on 17 March 1993, at which time ownership transferred to freehold tenure. In 2026, the Society was granted charity status by the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC), recognising its community purpose, current activities and future strategic direction. McDonald's and the Ribbonwood Centre occupy portions of the site under long term leasehold arrangements.

Dapto A&H Society Ltd is a not for profit company limited by guarantee that has served the community since 1857.   In 2026, the Society was granted charity status by the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC), recognising its community purpose, current activities and future strategic direction.   The Society is governed by a Constitution and Board of Directors, has no shareholders and reinvests any surplus funds back into its charitable purposes, community activities and The Groundz precinct.   The Society is independently audited each year and is subject to ASIC and ACNC reporting requirements.

Dapto A&H Society Ltd has operated as a not for profit community organisation since 1857.   In 2026, the Society was granted charity status by the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC), recognising its community purpose, current activities and future strategic direction.   The registration reflects the Society’s long-standing commitment to delivering social, cultural and economic benefits for the Illawarra region and supports its ongoing investment in community initiatives and The Groundz precinct.

Dapto A&H Society Ltd owns and operates The Groundz, a community precinct that is home to a diverse range of activities, events and organisations.   The Society supports hospitality venues, weddings and functions, markets, live music, sporting activities, community groups, charitable initiatives and a range of community programs.   In addition, the Society continues to operate the annual Dapto Country Show and works with businesses, community groups and organisations to create opportunities that benefit the broader Illawarra region. ​

Dapto A&H Society’s Constitution does not permit the land to be sold.   The Society’s vision for The Groundz is to diversify and better utilise the site to ensure its long term sustainability while increasing community use, participation and benefit.   The majority of The Groundz is zoned RE2 Private Recreation, which supports recreation, community activities and compatible land uses.   As Dapto’s population continues to grow rapidly, the Society believes The Groundz must continue to evolve to meet the changing needs and expectations of the community while remaining true to its purpose and values.

Yes, over the past 170 years, the annual Dapto Show, despite a few cancellations due to weather, insurance issues and the pandemic, has consistently been held. The annual show is an integral part of Dapto A&H Society’s history and will continue to be held at the Groundz.

As a privately owned freehold precinct, Dapto A&H Society is responsible for all costs associated with operating and maintaining The Groundz, including repairs, maintenance, insurance, rates, utilities and infrastructure.   Many community groups, charities and not for profit organisations already utilise The Groundz, with some using the precinct free of charge and others operating under peppercorn rental arrangements.   To continue providing these opportunities, Dapto A&H Society must generate sufficient income through its other activities and operations to cover costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of the precinct.   Income generated by The Groundz also helps support community facilities, charitable initiatives, live music and entertainment, community events, infrastructure improvements and other activities that benefit the broader community.   As a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, ensuring the ongoing sustainability of The Groundz remains the responsibility of the Society.

The first greyhound race meeting was held at the showground on Thursday 25 February 1937. Dapto A&H Society operated greyhound racing for more than eighty years to 2019.   Dapto Dogs became a Thursday night institution, famous around the world and recognised both nationally and internationally. No other club in Australia has been able to achieve such legendary status.   The Society is proud of its contribution to the greyhound racing industry and grateful to the many clubs, volunteers, staff, participants and supporters who worked tirelessly over many decades to establish Dapto Dogs as a household name known around the globe.   Following the NSW State Government’s unsuccessful attempt to ban greyhound racing in NSW and the ACT in 2016, there was significant industry reform.   In April 2019, as part of a state wide redistribution, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) proposed a change to the timeslot of racing at Dapto from Thursday nights to Saturday, together with a reallocation from SKY1 to SKY2 and a reduction in annual race meetings. The Society did not agree with the proposed timeslot change as it would impact other users of the showground, including the Dapto Rugby League Football Club, weekly markets, bingo and various events and functions. GRNSW subsequently agreed to keep the existing arrangement in place.   In August 2019, GRNSW provided all greyhound racing clubs, including the Society, with a three year funding agreement to supersede existing annual arrangements. In addition, an updated Greyhound Media Services (GMS) agreement reassigning royalty rights from the Society to GRNSW was proposed.   The Society did not consider the new terms acceptable because, in the Society’s view, they did not provide certainty over the Thursday night timeslot or reflect the increased costs associated with operating at the Dapto Showground, which is not public or state owned.   Negotiations were unsuccessful. On 31 October 2019, the Society’s greyhound racing club registration lapsed and on 6 November 2019, the Society’s Board made the difficult decision to cease greyhound racing at the site.   Following the Board’s decision, a legal dispute arose between GRNSW and the Society, including court proceedings. The dispute and proceedings were ultimately resolved pursuant to a confidential commercial settlement between GRNSW and the Society that included GRNSW licensing the racetrack from the Society and operating racing at the site.   In early 2023, GRNSW announced the purchase of land at Bong Bong Road, Dapto, together with plans to relocate racing from the showground to the new site at the conclusion of the Licence Agreement.   Despite this, in mid 2024, GRNSW approached the Society to explore opportunities to remain at the site on a long term basis. Following discussions between the parties, the existing Licence Agreement was extended by 12 months to 30 June 2026 to allow further consideration of future arrangements.   The Society carefully reviewed its strategic plan and future vision for the precinct and was prepared to offer an option for GRNSW to remain on the site. However, during the later stages of negotiations, GRNSW advised it would require a tenure of up to 20 years. After extensive consideration, the Society determined that such a long term commitment would not be in the best interests of the broader community or the future development of the site.   In July 2025, GRNSW advised that it would conclude greyhound racing operations at Dapto and vacate the site prior to the 30 June 2026 deadline that the agreement permitted.   On Thursday 11 September 2025, more than 5,000 people attended the final race meeting, marking the end of almost 90 years of greyhound racing at Dapto and the final chapter of the iconic Dapto Dogs brand.   Following GRNSW’s departure, the Society was left with the significant responsibility and cost of removing and remediating former greyhound racing infrastructure across the site. The Society remains proud of its contribution to the greyhound racing industry and the role it played in establishing Dapto Dogs as a world renowned greyhound racing brand.

Members of the Society are people who actively support the Society’s charitable purposes and are willing to contribute their time, expertise, resources and support to help achieve its objectives.   These members include volunteers, sponsors, supporters and other individuals who have played an important role in the Society’s success throughout its history.   Directors are elected annually by members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Board may also appoint up to two independent Directors.   Any changes to the Directors of the Society are recorded with ASIC.   For more information, please refer to the Company Structure & Membership page.

The Groundz is far more than a venue. It is a community asset with the capacity to deliver a diverse range of recreational, cultural, social and economic benefits.   As Dapto and the surrounding suburbs continue to grow, so too does the demand for community spaces, activities, events and services. The ongoing evolution of The Groundz is about unlocking the full potential of the precinct and creating more opportunities for the community to connect, participate and enjoy everything the site has to offer.   By activating underutilised areas and introducing new offerings, The Groundz can continue to grow its community impact while remaining sustainable for future generations.

The Groundz has significant capacity to offer more to the community than ever before.   In addition to existing activities such as the Dapto Country Show, football, live music, markets, weddings, functions and ticketed events, the Society continues to explore opportunities that better utilise underused areas of the precinct and create new reasons for people to visit.   Recent initiatives such as expanded hospitality offerings, catering partnerships and major events including country music festivals demonstrate the direction in which The Groundz is heading.   Future opportunities may include an indoor recreational offering, large scale events and entertainment, short term accommodation, community hub, and childcare that respond to the needs of a rapidly growing community.   The Society is excited about the opportunities ahead and remains focused on creating a vibrant, active and sustainable precinct that delivers lasting benefits for the Illawarra community.