The University of Queensland

On the 27th August 2008 the Fryer Library held its second Friends of Fryer event for the year, timed to coincide with the Ekka and the recent publication of their new book Showtime: a History of the Brisbane Exhibition (University of Queensland Press), the event featured guest speakers Dr Ross Laurie, History Lecturer at UQ Ipswich, and Dr Joanne Scott, Associate Professor in History at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

In a delightful presentation, they spoke about how, together with the Museum of Brisbane, they had developed the exhibition Ten Days in August : Memories of the Ekka which is currently running at Brisbane City Hall until mid-November. Drawing an a wealth of primary source material, including images, interviews and the 'yards and yards of description' in newspapers, they explored the history and significance of the Brisbane Exhibition. Their fascinating talk featured wonderful historical photographs and illustrations and took the audience on a trip down memory lane. They paid particular attention to two integral aspects of the show most closely associated with fun: Side Show Alley and Showbags (or, as they were previously popularly know, 'Sample bags' - a name reflecting the inclusion of samples of goods that manufacturers wanted to promote).

Joanne and Ross began their four year project which culminated in the book and exhibition because both were long term fans of the Ekka who made the annual pilgrimage there. But as researchers, they were interested in exploring the Exhibition's deeper cultural aspects. Brisbane's first Exhibition was held in 1876. It was a chance to promote local industries and to showcase the agricultural, pastoral and industrial resources of Queensland. Like now, it was not just the Ekka's age or number of visitors that impressed, but also the scope of the show.

'The Brisbane Exhibition started big and it stayed big', said Joanne. 'The catalogue from the 1876 Exhibition listed 650 classes of exhibits and more than 1700 items: Queensland was on display. The Ekka is one of the largest in Queensland. Part of its appeal is that it's constant and seemily unchanging and provides a chance for city and country folk to come together each year to socialise'.

Professor Peter Spearitt, Professor of History at UQ - and great supporter of the Fryer Library - introduced the two speakers and Dr Spencer Routh delivered a vote of thanks, praising the book about the venerable Queensland institution. Spencer delighted the audience with his own memories and observations from the Ekka and his decision to be his 'own illustration' with his attire which, he attested, was 'the way one would go to the judging of cattle' wearing 'a very finely checked jacket, one's best Akubra and ... RM Williams boots'. After an evening spent sharing stories and reliving memories of the Ekka everyone walked away with a Library 'showbag' and a strawberry icecream in keeping with the theme.