Ekka 2017: People’s Day crowds targeted in penalty rates campaign

PEOPLE’S Day won’t be a politics-free zone for thousands of Ekka-goers, with unions planning the latest round of their campaign on a hot-button issue. Ekka by the numbers

• Inside the fireworks
• All the Ekka bargains
• Five best things

PEOPLE’S Day crowds at the Ekka will be targeted by the latest round of a union campaign against penalty rate cuts.

The Queensland Council of Unions has organised a digital advertising campaign in the heart of the Ekka today to seize on the first public holiday since Sunday and public holiday penalty rates were cut on July 1.

QCU general secretary Ros McLennan said some workers would face a pay cut of up to $70 today, and she called on the Ekka crowds to recognise the sacrifice of workers who “keep our communities running on weekends and public holidays”.

“People should be compensated for working when they could be spending time with their friends and their families, especially at major community events like the Ekka,” Ms McLennan said.

“We want to make sure that Queenslanders still have the time off to attend this event and if they have to go to work today and miss People’s Day, then they certainly don’t deserve a pay cut.”

Lorena West with daughter Sof’a, 4, at the Ekka yesterday. Picture: Steve Pohlner/AAP

People’s Day by the numbers

THE sun is shining on People’s Day at the Ekka as organisers brace for big crowds and an even bigger heatwave.

More than 50,000 showgoers are expected to walk through the gates today as temperatures soar to 30C, more than 7C above the Ekka average.

Organisers say they’re prepared for a scorcher with free sunscreen and extra umbrellas for shade around the showgrounds.

The centrepiece of the Ekka’s busiest day is undoubtedly the grand parade, where about 500 of the best award-winning animals will be on show at 1pm.

It’s not all dagwood dogs and fairy floss, as this year’s show features plenty of “instaworthy” attractions including specialty coffee, craft beer and gourmet food vans.

Lucas Skelly shows guys can bake too. Picture: Annette Dew

Events co-ordinator for Adore Estate Coffee Greg Alexiou said their stall’s “coffee in a cone” had had a “great response so far”.

“You get to drink the coffee and the warm drink melts the chocolate coating inside the cone which then becomes a delicious treat to eat afterwards ... it’s just something a bit new and different, and that’s what people want on a day out,” he said.

Jaze Pink has operated Pink’s Dagwood Dogs at the Ekka for more than 20 years and said she wasn’t fazed about the appearance of “hipster food” stalls.

“It’s just a fad; you see the new foods creep in and then after a few years they creep back out again,” she said.

Ms Pink said she sold about 4.5 tonnes of hotdogs every Ekka and this year sales were even higher than 2016.

It’s not just the cuisine that’s changing the face of the Ekka – there are plenty of tired stereotypes that simply don’t hold muster these days.

Alice Shirley, 19, with Minke the goat at Ekka. Picture: Annette Dew

Once considered the domain of the Country Women’s Association, more men are taking out some of the top baking prizes each year.

Carpenter Lucas Skelly nabbed the top novice prize for his sultana cake and scored several other ribbons for his baking efforts.

“I like the tradition of baking. It’s too easy to just go to the supermarket and get a mass-produced cake – there’s a kind of craftsmanship in making a cake,” he said.

Meanwhile, women are bucking old trends in the livestock categories as 19-year-old farmer Alice Shirley can attest.

“I entered a Saanen goat from my own stud and got a second place which was awesome, and I’ve been helping my aunty show some of her milking goats and we actually won the ‘supreme exhibit’ award,” she said.

Ms Shirley said she had been showing animals at the Ekka for more than seven years and considered the other goat farmers “one big family”.