THE OFFICIAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE RNA, RNA SHOWGROUNDS & ROYAL QUEENSLAND SHOW Winter 2009 Special Ekka ’09 Issue Redevelopment Update pg.8 That’s Entertainment pg.16 Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show pg.12 Showbiz Winter 2009 1 CONTENTS MESSAGE from the President Message from the President 2 During Queensland Week it was announced that A Fun Campaign 3 Ekka had been voted by Queenslanders as the number one iconic state event and fourth icon overall Ekka Forever 4 in the Q150 icons poll. Thanks Queensland for your vote and congratulations to everyone involved in Redevelopment Update 8 the Show. Cabbing it to the Show 9 The Ekka has been staged for Queenslanders by Queenslanders for well over a century and during this time the Ekka has continued to showcase Queensland’s Map / What’s New and Fabulous 10 finest. The very best our State has to offer in produce, livestock, entertainment, education, arts or industrial innovations, the Ekka has consistently delivered. Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show 12 But of course change is inevitable. Once the doors close on this year’s Ekka the $3 billion redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds will commence. Educating Queensland 14 Queenslanders will soon have access to the RNA Showgrounds all year round. And while future Shows will offer a new face to Queenslanders, I can assure you the Ekka That’s Entertainment 16 will continue to deliver an event that is worthy of its icon status. Event Calendar 18 So if the Ekka is about the balance between tradition and change then the 2009 line up is set to exceed expectations. Sponsors 19 We are proud to introduce new shows, entertainment, competitions and educational elements in 2009 including: five new rides for Sideshow Alley, the Ekka Animal Boulevard will be even bigger this year with the introduction of Cats to the Show, the purpose built Little Miracles Newborn Centre will open its doors and for the first time visitors will be able to purchase the Ekka ‘Deli’ Showbag offering a taste of the winning products from this year’s Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show competition. RNA COAT OF ARMS The Ekka now has 45 major competition categories, with hundreds of classes In 1921 the Brisbane Exhibition was within each. In 2009 we will see the addition of some entirely new Ekka competition granted its ‘Royal’ prefix under warrant categories including Olive Oil and the Feline Breed Showcase. New classes of from His Majesty King George V, changing competition have also been added under Canine, Beef, Poultry, Dairy Produce and our beloved Ekka to the Royal Queensland Cattle, Horses and our popular Education on Show. Show forever. Now the RNA has a new Coat of Arms, Of significant importance in 2009 is the launch of the Royal Food and Wine Show created especially for the Association and Champion of Show label where, for the first time Show competition entrants will have representing its charter and history. an opportunity to display a gold, silver or bronze medal sticker on their products in the beef, wine and dairy categories. The implementation of this brand goes a long way in supporting our mission to promote and encourage the development of Queensland’s agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, industrial, manufacturing and cultural resources. The 2009 Ekka is here and I encourage you to enjoy all that it has to offer. From the chairlift to YoGo Alley, from the b105 Showbag Pavilion to the cattle yards this is the last time we will celebrate the Ekka as we know it. The Ekka has been around for 132 years. It is a Queensland icon and it will return bigger, better and brighter to entertain Queenslanders for another 132 years. Dr Vivian Edwards, OAM 2 Showbiz Winter 2009 Ekka marketing campaigns over A FUN CAMPAIGN the years have highlighted the WITH A CLEAR MESSAGE spirit and essence of Queensland’s biggest annual agricultural event. Forever Changing This year’s Ekka marketing campaign, , is a celebration Showbiz takes you on a trip down of the changing elements of the Show from year to year and recognises the memory lane. physical changes to occur in years to come. RNA Marketing Manager Angela visit the Show this year to see the 2005 Mulcahy said the Ekka ’09 campaign RNA Showgrounds landscape in its was designed to illustrate the forever current form before work begins on the changing face of the Ekka and Masterplan redevelopment in early 2010. encourage people to come to the Show The Industrial Pavilion (known during this year, before the change begins. Ekka as the b105 Showbag Pavilion) “There is so much to do and see at the will be the first to get a makeover. Ekka,” said Ms Mulcahy. “You literally While the stunning brick facade don’t know what you’re going to get remains, the rest of the structure will be as you turn the corner. That’s the fun rebuilt. Other pavilions to go in the first of it. You can stumble across a fashion phase of development include the dog parade and then see honey extracted and agricultural pavilions. 2006 from a beehive, just metres away! “Rest assured that despite the “Our campaign illustrates ‘change’ development, Ekka will continue to be through the imagery of cat walks staged here every year, with many of and collie flowersand other fun the features and competitions you know Don’t miss the daily cooking demonstrations in the Woolworths Fresh Food Kitchen combinations. and love – just in different locations 1 0 1 - 9 AUGUST 2006 ekka.com.au and temporary structures around the “We want people to look twice at the grounds,” said Ms Mulcahy. billboards and advertisements and have fun talking about it as they drive home “One attraction I recommend you catch or read the paper in the morning.” this year is the chairlift. This is its last year at the Ekka.” Queenslanders are encouraged to 2007 = I V J 7 > J DD?D IJK I V J 7 > J 9-18 Augustwww.ekka.com.au 07 J > 7 J V I 9KJ; I V J 7 > J 9-18 August 07 www.ekka.com.au 2008 +S";S-ON The development of Ekka’s 2009 campaign: from early sketches (top left) to final designs (above). Showbiz Winter 2009 3 EKka ForeVer RNA President Dr Vivian Edwards sums up the community’s love of the Royal Queensland Show with these words… “If you ever doubted the Ekka’s ability to adapt with the times while retaining a cosy familiarity and sense of nostalgia, just look at the constant crowd figures over the years.” No one can argue with the hypnotic appeal of the Show. It spans generations and stirs a different memory and meaning for everyone who has ever experienced it. Showbiz asked six Queenslanders about their thoughts on the Ekka and the future development of the RNA Showgrounds. Here’s what they had to say… of many Queenslanders. There is something for everyone and that is why families across the State so look forward to the Ekka every year. The RNA Showgrounds has been the setting for many A Beeline for important events in Queensland’s history, and its ongoing WOODchop development will help to ensure it remains a vital community Her Excellency Ms asset for years to come. As Brisbane continues to grow, Penelope Wensley AO, it is important to modernise and keep pace with change. Governor of Queensland It is exciting to see this Queensland icon adapting to new has many Ekka favourites, demands and preparing for the future. I’m interested to see but Woodchop tops what projects and ideas emerge to enable the community to the list. use this wonderful asset more fully and effectively. The Ekka is part of the heritage of all Queenslanders – it I am looking forward to seeing the developments take place, brings city and country together, and celebrates and but I know that I will always look forward especially to Show promotes our agriculture, industry and creativity. It is also Week – to revisiting my favourite places, recapturing my a lot of fun! memories and enjoying the familiar sights, smells and tastes of ‘our Ekka’. My early Show-going memories are of the animal pavilions – the noise, the smells and what seemed to be the enormous size of the cattle and pigs; and of agonising over what show bags to buy with modest pocket-money. I also always liked the large displays of rural produce – they were so clever and colourful. As a university student, Sideshow Alley and the Woodchopping appealed more. Now I’m less interested in the rides, but still make a beeline for the Woodchopping. It’s so vigorous; and very exciting to watch the competitions. Whether it is the many families which for generations have exhibited or participated in the Show’s events, or those with personal family traditions of going to the opening, to watch the grand parade and enjoy the spectacle of the fireworks or others who simply enjoy taking the kids for a fun day out, I think the Ekka has become part of the family life and history 4 Showbiz Winter 2009 AS long as I can going up as high as possible into I think the central city location of the the old grandstand to watch the ring RNA Showgrounds is very important. walK, I’ll BE coming events. In a peculiar way one of the It is easy to get to and seems so much to EKka! things that used to fascinate me no more part of Brisbane. end was the machinery displays down Deputy Premier and Minister for Health The Showground is a wonderful asset near the police stand.