Who is Behind the Show? Founded in 1875, the RNA is an independent, not-for-profit member-based organisation that has freehold title to the iconic Brisbane Showgrounds. The organisation’s guiding mission is to bring people together to showcase, celebrate and experience agriculture and Queensland. Governed by 21 elected Councillors, the RNA showcases and rewards the best of the best in agriculture through the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) and Royal Queensland Awards (RQA) competitions. Outside of Ekka, the Brisbane Showgrounds is a venue business which hosts more than 200 events each year including exhibitions, conferences, banquets, and music festivals.
How It All Began The RNA has a rich history stemming back to 1875 when a group of colonists joined together to encourage the development of Queensland’s primary industries. Leading members of the colonial society formed the first RNA Council, under the presidency of Governor Sir William Cairns, with most of the 35 members pastoralists and merchants. The RNA Council immediately committed themselves to organising the very first exhibition for Brisbane – from calling for tenders for the initial building to meeting with the Premier of Queensland to establish a public holiday on opening day. The result was the Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 – the largest event to be held in the state up to that point. The RNA, along with the exhibition, continued to expand and grow in popularity and in 1921, the association was granted the prefix ‘Royal’ under warrant from His Majesty King George V. Since then, the shortened name ‘Ekka’ has replaced ‘Exhibition’ in the Queensland vernacular.
ekka media kit | Page 8
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