Opinion: Brisbane’s Ekka grounds may change but the crowds don’t

BRISBANE’S showground precinct might be undergoing gentrification, but the events held at the venue ensure the demographics remain the same, writes Susan Johnson.

IN CASE you thought there was a danger of modern life turning everyone bland and indistinguishable – like a human equivalent of Starbucks – fear not.

While it might be hard to tell if you’re in Brisbane or San Francisco when you wander into Starbucks, the humans inside remain endearingly unique.

As evidence, I present the comings and goings at the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland’s home grounds. The Ekka grounds and surrounds, in Brisbane’s Bowen Hills, are now my local ’hood. I’m so close to the action one of my friends suggested that during the Ekka I cast off a line from my front veranda and catch myself a dagwood dog.

The RNA and Lend Lease might be revitalising the area around King St – gentrification frightening the horses so to speak, as the RNA ’hood becomes more plat du jour than battered sav – but some things remain satisfyingly the same.

Last month, for example, it was the turn of fishin’ and boatin’ and campin’ humans – men and women in flannelette shirts, fishing hats and thongs. They came for the annual 4X4 Fishing & Boating Expo, to see something called the “Eagers Holden Proving Ground”, which turned out to be the RNA’s show ring transformed into a series of off-the-beaten-track artificial hills, where you could test drive 4x4s.

A new Rydges hotel one sign of the gentrification of the Ekka precinct.

They came for the action arena, a section of the ring for quad bikes and BMX riders doing air flips after zooming off a specially built scaffold. You’re not a human who likes fishin’ and boatin’? Maybe you’re a human who prefers crafts? Sorry, but you’ve just missed the annual World of Craft Expo, featuring the Mad Quilters Gathering, and Gem and Bead Show. This RNA speciality show attracted women – hardly any men – all of a certain age, nicely dressed, desperate to see exhibits of textiles, wool, yarn and something called “doll and bear” (me neither).

Not your thing? What about the Brisbane Reptile Expo – billed as a family-friendly show filled with amazing animals “including reptiles, birds of prey, scorpions, spiders and of course more reptiles!”

Then there’s the Brisbane Model Train Show – different gauges! model trains! – or the upcoming Hoglights 2018 Show, Shine & Shoot, for motorbike fans. Next month there’s “every caker’s dream” – the Australian Cake Artists & Decorators Association’s International Cake Show Australia, including live cake sculpture shows, decorating competitions and a special “haute couture” wedding cake designers’ area.

Is there no end to our quirks and idiosyncrasies? Hobbies are what we do to escape and, in doing so, we also declare ourselves uniquely human.

Even cavemen had a day off from hunting. Some of them started decorating their caves. After all, to have a hobby is only human.

Email Susan Johnson