History
On 13 August 1875 a group of colonists met at the Brisbane Town Hall to form the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland. The Association’s Charter, with Governor Sir William Cairns as its President, was to promote and encourage the agricultural and industrial development of Queensland; as well as provide a unique opportunity for country and urban residents to come together in a celebration of Queensland lifestyle.
This Charter still guides the current RNA Council. From its formation, the Association was envisaged as a national organisation representative of all aspects of Queensland society and this was reflected in the diverse professional backgrounds of RNA Councillors then and today. The First Show
Bowen Park was chosen in January 1876 as the site for the first Show. The Park consisted of an area of 6.8 hectares bordered by Bowen Bridge Road, Gregory Terrace and a creek which ran through the centre of the present Main Arena.
The ‘Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876’, held from 22 – 26 August, proved a triumph beyond all expectation. A public holiday was declared, and on opening day, 17,000 people attended – a great feat at a time when the total population of Brisbane was only 22,000. Men attended in their suits and ladies in their finest garments. Food was served on long tables and the first showbag – a bag of coal – was free for all visitors. The first ‘Royal’ Show was held in 1921, when the Association  was granted the prefix under warrant from His Majesty King George V. Since then, the shortened name ‘Ekka’ has replaced ‘Exhibition’ in the Queensland vernacular, indicating locals’ affection for our annual Show. The Ekka has since been held continuously, with only two exceptions: 1919 when Brisbane suffered a Spanish influenza epidemic, and during wartime in 1942 when the Showgrounds were used as a staging depot for troops moving north. Today the Ekka runs for ten days and attracts over half a million visitors every August, keen to experience the Show’s unique mix of entertainment, agriculture and education. From Champion Rooster of Show to the glamorous fashion parades, the Ekka has always celebrated the rural and the urban; the traditional and the innovative, and it’s for this reason the event has held a special place in the hearts of Queenslanders for generations. Additional resources: Download the History of Ekka Timeline 'The Ekka' - Why Queenslanders love their favourite Show by Frank Mills, Publishing Services (Qld) Pty Ltd The RNA Showgrounds As the city of Brisbane has grown and changed from its colonial roots, so has one of its most enduring icons - the RNA Showgrounds. Always reflecting the society growing up around it, the Showgrounds has been an integral element of  Queensland life and is thus a vital part of the state's social history.
From the venue for a World War II field hospital to international sporting events and music festivals, the 22-hectare Showgrounds has moved with the times.
From as early as 1878 the Showgrounds became a social hub, with musical, drama and sporting organisations hosting performances and games on the grounds. In 1887 a fire destroyed its main pavilion, and following this a brick building was constructed on the corner of Bowen Bridge Road and Gregory Terrace. This became the main Exhibition Building, and later the Brisbane Museum. Another milestone in the history of the Showgrounds occurred in 1928 when the first cricket Test Match to be played in Brisbane was held on the grounds. Don Bradman made his test debut at this cricket match, scoring 18, and was subsequently dropped from the Second Test in Sydney. Similar highlights occurred in 1926 with the opening of The National Speedway, and ten years later when night trotting became a regular event at the grounds. In recent times, the RNA Showgrounds has been the venue for many large-scale events outside of Ekka time that contribute millions of dollars to the Queensland economy. The Home Show, the Queensland Caravanning & Camping Show and the now legendary Livid music festival have all called the RNA Showgrounds home, with the former two events still held on the grounds. |
