With the state recording new community cases of COVID-19 and the announcement that the South East Queensland lockdown has been extended until Sunday 8th August, the Brisbane Ekka has been cancelled for the second successive year.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles made the announcement this morning as the lockdown of 11 local government areas was extended, advising that cancelling the Ekka would be "sad and disappointing for many, many Queenslanders", adding "(but) we just can't afford to have an event like that where people travel into town, circulate in large numbers. The risk is just too great."
Due to have started this weekend and with bump in already underway, the cancellation of the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) will be a huge blow to all involved with the annual event. Some carnival ride operators and exhibitors are already on site at the RNA Showgrounds and are likely to have to remain in lockdown.
With South East Queensland put in to lockdown on Saturday, the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) yesterday made the decision to cancel the Stud Beef Cattle Show which had been due to start on Tuesday.
Advising that the health and safety of the Ekka community and the general public was paramount and the RNA was fully supportive of the Queensland Government’s decision, RNA Chief Executive, Brendan Christou stated “it is devastating to have to cancel this year’s historic comeback Ekka but the current outbreak of COVID-19 means we cannot bring the country and city together safely.
“It is particularly heartbreaking to have to cancel so close to our opening day because of the massive effort our Ekka community has put into preparing for this year’s People’s Show.
“Thousands of exhibitors who have spent months preparing their entries for competition will be extremely disappointed they cannot showcase their efforts at the 2021 Show.
“It is especially tough for the farming community who have been eagerly awaiting this year’s Show which is a celebration of all things agriculture.
“The Ekka doesn’t just reward the best of the best it also provides much needed respite and highlights the many challenges they face such as drought and flood.
“Our hearts also go out to the hundreds of businesses whose livelihoods rely on events like the Ekka. The ride operators, the food vendors and the many small businesses who showcase their products at Queensland’s largest marketplace - they are facing another financial blow in the wake of the Show’s cancellation.
“This last minute cancellation of the Show has broad-ranging financial impacts for our not for profit organisation because we also rely on the Ekka to provide a major part of our revenue.
“Despite all the disappointment the cancellation of the Ekka brings the RNA will always act in the best interests of public health and protect our exhibitors and the broader community,” said Mr Christou.
The RNA will now endeavour to see if some of the 2021 Royal Queensland Show competitions can continue these next two weeks in a COVIDSafe environment without the general public.
Christou went on to explain that the RNA will also be working with Queensland Health on a de-mobilisation plan to assist exhibitors with bumping out and what is possible during the lockdown, adding “we will be working through a number of options in the next 24 (to) 48 hours and will provide updates to our exhibitors and competitors.”
Before last year, the Ekka had previously only been cancelled twice in its 145-year history due to the pandemic.
The Ekka was due to run from Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th August.
The RNA will be issuing full refunds to all ticketholders.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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