History ‘Royal’ Under Warrant from His Majesty King George V
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n 2012 Australian of the Year and Academy 1876 The first Exhibition Ekka cancelled due to Award-winning actor and producer Geoffrey 1919 n The Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 was held Rush attended the opening day of the Ekka influenza epidemic The RNA Council immediately committed themselves to organising at Bowen Park with an estimated 15,000- n A cricket match involving cricketing the very first exhibition for Brisbane - from calling for tenders for the 17,000 people attending out of Brisbane’s greats Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, initial building to meeting with the Premier of Queensland to establish a population at the time of just 20,600 Ian Healy, Andy Bichel and Jimmy Maher, Edward, Prince of Wales visits public holiday on opening day. n 1920 5,000 people charged the turnstiles – took place on the final day of the Ekka the Ekka The result was the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 - the largest event to chaos ensued until the mounted troopers be held in the state up to that point. were called to drive back the crowd n Visitors to the first show were treated to The RNA, along with the exhibition, continued to expand and grow 1926 Show traditions 2013 Ekka wins international awards more than 1,000 exhibits in popularity and in 1921, the association was granted the prefix n The Queensland Country Women’s n The Royal Queensland Show took n The show received 1,700 competition history ‘Royal’ under warrant from His Majesty King George V. Since then, the Association made its first appearance at home the prestigious Best in Show entries in more than 650 classes* shortened name ‘Ekka’ has replaced ‘Exhibition’ in the Queensland the Ekka title, along with 13 other awards, at the n Entry tickets were large and square for vernacular. n The first night time ring program was held 2013 International Association of Fairs & major patrons, circular for subscribers, blue following the introduction of electric lighting* Expositions Awards (IAFE Awards) for judges and red for stewards* n Over 54,521 Ekka Facebook friends – The early Shows n Staff included a nightwatchman, 40 a growth of 75% from 2012 On August 22, 1876, a crowd of more than 15,000 people made their stewards and more than 30 judges* 1942 World War II way by horse, foot or carriage to experience the very first Ekka, at n Entry to the grounds in the morning was a n The show was cancelled as the grounds what is now known as the Brisbane Showgrounds. half-crown or visitors could wait until after were used as a staging depot during Million dollar night show Some of today’s traditions stem back to this first exhibition. the official opening when the cost of a World War II 2014 Who is behind the Show? Competitions were a cornerstone of the Ekka right from the beginning ticket fell to one shilling* n Australian-first million dollar night show n Competitors were usually charged two EkkaNITES wows the crowd each night The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of with 1,700 entries across 650 classes competing for trophies, cash shillings and sixpence per entry* of show Queensland (RNA) is a member based organisation governed by 21 prizes and medals. 1950 Ekka food traditions n The largest prize up for grabs was n The now symbolic Ekka fairy floss, butter n Queensland beats New South Wales in RNA Councillors. Visitors were treated to more than 1,000 exhibits and charged an entry 25 guineas* board sandwiches, strawberry sundaes the 2014 Ekka Rodeo fee of a half-crown, or one shilling if they waited until after the official An executive team of seven, including the RNA President, is n The show closed at midnight on Monday and dagwood dogs were introduced* n The Ekka runs over two full weekends for opening. responsible for overseeing the operations of the association which 28 August, following a controversial the first time in the show’s history owns and operates the Brisbane Showgrounds, situated 1.5 The first show depended heavily on the voluntary efforts of RNA decision to open on the Sunday* n British stars from the ‘Inbetweeners’ and Miss kilometres from Brisbane’s central business district. Council members, judges and stewards as the RNA did not yet have n Only three breeds of cattle were 1954 Queen ElizabethII and Prince World Australia, Courtney Thorpe, visit Ekka its own staff, apart from employing nightwatchmen. The organisation’s charter is to celebrate and champion the essential displayed at the first show— Durham, Phillip visit the Ekka role agriculture plays in the everyday lives of Queenslanders. Celebrating the colony’s achievements, the Intercolonial Exhibition of Hereford and Devon* 1876 was praised as the most significant event in Queensland since its n The show featured just two alpacas* The year of the flying pigs The RNA aims to provide a vibrant destination at the Brisbane 1964 Animal Nursery 2015 Showgrounds with leading educational and event facilities and separation from New South Wales. n The Racing and Diving Pigs wow the at the Ekka introduced activities that capture the hearts and minds of all Queenslanders, from Since 1876 the Ekka has continued to grow in popularity and size, crowds at Ekka, as they fly through the the country to the city. remaining one of the most anticipated yearly events. 1877 First Ekka ride sky and dive into a pool of water n Introduction of the first ride in Sideshow First Skymaster Ferris Wheel n Seven-year-old Mater Vandeleur who The RNA runs the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka), Queensland’s It has been held annually at the Brisbane Showgrounds since its Alley—a merry-go-round* 1969 captivated the audience with his pig training largest event, on behalf of the community for 10 days each year in inception except for two instances — in 1919 at the height of the n The total value of prizes and medals was at Ekka n tricks made international news with his August. Spanish influenza epidemic and in 1942 during World War II when the between £500 and £600* Once the 4,000 lights were switched on, special Channel 7 news report Staged at its original birthplace, the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Ekka grounds were used as a staging depot for troops.* everyone knew the show was about to open* n Never before seen fireworks light up the showcases its unique tradition and heritage by bringing the city and Introduction of Queensland's Main Arena country together for a once a year get-together. Strange but true 1879 1988 Expo 88 More than 400,000 people on average gather to see thousands of n A key event at the first show in 1876 was a competition for the newest technologies n Ekka achieved its highest attendance n exhibits, 10,000 animals, world-class entertainment and taste award- best sample of 5 tonne of manure, deodorised and prepared in Ekka patrons were amazed by with an estimated 800,000 people telephones, microphones, electric lights 2016 The return of The Old Museum winning food and wine. the most economical form of use* flooding through the gates* and even an electric thief detector n After 119 years, The Old Museum came n Along with this, the organisation runs the Royal Queensland Food and The first ever showbag was a bag of coal* back home to Ekka, housing the Flower Wine Show—a series of individual competitions unearthing the best n In the 1920s a flock of 90 sheep were used to maintain the lawns 2000 Sideshow Alley and Garden Exhibition and Quilts Across produce in Australia. at the Brisbane Showgrounds 1889 Sheepdog trials held for Queensland and Woodchop Arena Outside of the annual Ekka, the Brisbane Showgrounds is an events n A new two day pass and dedicated 2 for 1 n At the first show there was a competition for the fastest walking the first time n The Inner City Bypass was constructed, and lifestyle precinct, home to the state-of-the-art Royal International farm horse* and Sideshow Alley and the Woodchop ride and food days are introduced, signaling Convention Centre (Royal ICC), a four and a half star Rydges Hotel major historic hip pocket savings n Main Arena entertainment continued to expand in 1966 with the Arena were redeveloped and vibrant King Street dining hub. n The world-class night show EkkaNITES Zacchini family presenting a human cannonball act — with the 1891 District Exhibitions n showcases incredible female talent, including father coordinating, the mother firing and their children propelled The first district exhibits contest was held American FMX superstar Vicki Golden How it started across the ring into a net* – nine regions competed for a prize pool 2011 One of the most successful Ekkas n The breathtaking EkkaNITES fireworks The RNA has a rich history stemming back to 1875 when a group of £175* in history: Grammy award n During the Great Depression new entertainment was introduced finale features a 20 metre high pyrotechnic of colonists joined together to encourage the development of winners closed the Show including goat races that attracted some 100 competitors in a tower never before seen in Australia, Queensland’s primary industries. v Grammy Award-winners Wolfmother single show* shooting fireworks from 49 positions 1894 first fireworks closed Ekka’s concert series in front of a Leading members of the colonial society formed the first RNA Council, n There was no Sideshow Alley in 1876, just a lone individual n The first fireworks display occurred in capacity crowd under the presidency of Governor Sir William Cairns, with most of the known as the ‘lightning calculator,’ whose facility with numbers the Main Arena, beginning another show th 35 members pastoralists and merchants.