Prince Charles Hospital Foundation volunteers to stop serving Strawberry Sundaes at Ekka
Brisbane-based medical research charity Prince Charles Hospital Foundation has made the significant decision to stop serving Strawberry Sundaes at the Ekka after 35 years.
QLD News
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An iconic partnership that involves a famous Ekka staple and has raised millions of dollars for medical research will come to an end this year after three decades.
Brisbane-based medical research charity Prince Charles Hospital Foundation has made the significant decision to stop serving Strawberry Sundaes at the Ekka after 35 years.
The decision will allow the foundation to focus on new sustainable programs and direct its resources towards initiatives that assist patient care and lifesaving medical research.
While the Strawberry Sundae made its first appearance at the Ekka in the 1950s, the partnership between the foundation and the RNA commenced in the late 1980s as a fundraising opportunity.
The venture grew into a significant logistical operation that required nine months of planning and saw more than 2000 volunteers give up their time to scoop over 100,000 sundaes at the show each year.
It is estimated that Prince Charles Hospital Foundation volunteers have served more than 3 million Strawberry Sundaes since the late 1980s.
The sale of the sundaes raised million of dollars for medical research and supported initiatives including a world-first ICU project that involved redesigned ICU bed spaces at the Prince Charles Hospital, the creation of Charlie’s Village a community area for patients living with dementia, research that found a way to transport donor hearts across the country, and Queensland’s first child life therapist.
However, rising costs and the challenge of recruiting volunteers has ultimately caused the foundation to withdraw from the program.
Prince Charles Hospital foundation chief executive Steve Francia told The Courier-Mail it was not an easy decision to ice the iconic venture.
“This wasn’t an easy decision to make, but we’re confident it’s the right one,” Mr Francia said.
“By transitioning away from this program, we can focus even more on initiatives that can make the biggest impact in people’s lives.”
Mr Francia also extended heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers whose dedication made the program a success.
“To our volunteers, thank you. Your impact is immeasurable, and your contributions have left a mark on the lives of countless patients,” he said.
“The success of the Ekka Strawberry Sundae program wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
While the foundation is stepping back its involvement at the Royal Queensland Show, the much-loved Strawberry Sundae will continue to be served at the Ekka by the RNA.
RNA chief executive Brendan Christou told The Courier-Mail it was sad to see the partnership with the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation end.
“It is sad for us to farewell the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, who have been providing that service for you know, since the late 80s, and it is sad to see a partner like that no longer be going to be part of the Ekka in that form,” Mr Christou said.
“We understand their decision and they have to do what’s right for their organisation in terms of the best way to raise funds, so we completely understand that.”
However, Mr Christou added that the Strawberry Sundae won’t be going anywhere and the RNA would be up to the task of serving the iconic dessert to visitors to the Ekka.
“The Strawberry Sundaes aren’t going anywhere,” he said.
“They will still be here every Ekka as people know and love them, the quality of those strawberry sundaes is so important, it is how we celebrate and use our award-winning ice creams.
“We obviously run a lot of different food outlets throughout the Ekka already, we have a full team of chefs and food and beverage staff that do this all year round.
“So we can certainly rise to the challenge, it is a big effort, and we look forward to that challenge.”
The 2025 Ekka will be held from August 9-17, 2025.
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