Photos from the Garden Shows at the EKKA 2024

Photos from the Garden Shows at the EKKA 2023

Theme: ZEN – “Peace and Harmony”

These days our garden is important to us all. A place where we can reflect and “take the burden off our shoulders” And “SMILE” The display reflects the ZEN theme and in the display we will have a “Wishing Pot”. The symbol on the pot says: Wishes do come True – Good Luck and Good Fortune. Anyone who visits our display can write on a piece of paper provided – their wishes for their life and their garden.

ZEN GARDEN for QCGC

When asked to set up a garden display to represent the QCGC, Pam & I used the idea we had previously discussed. Pamela designed the garden as she has been to Japan several times and had a good idea on what we required. A Zen garden needs to be peaceful, minimalist and meditative. We refreshed my Buddha head planters, decided on a colour scheme and constructed screen supports, sourced smooth rocks, hollow logs, moss, polished white pebbles and lanterns. I was in charge of gathering enough plants and keeping them in good condition. This was a challenge as the white Azaleas only flowered on last Sunday of the Ekka. Anne and Shirley brought in some of their plants and helped set up the display and we were most grateful for their advice. Pam cut timber for the dais structures. We spread the white pebbles to represent a river. To have an interactive display Pamela designed a wishing/Prayer line so patrons could write & attach their wishes to the line. She painted "Wishes do come true” using correct Japanese symbols on a round pot to hold the scores of wishes over the 10 day. I read the wish slips and found 98% were for Good Health & Peace. Some were very sad/personal wishes, a few for lovely gardens and fertility. I unrolled them and set them alight near my Zen area. There were lots of positive comments and photos taken of the garden. It took 2 half days to set up the garden but only 2 hours to pack 3 cars with the structures and plants to deconstruct the garden. We hope everyone enjoyed the Ekka event.                 Sandra.

QCGC stand at the EKKA

Our Patron with the Chief of the RNA David Thomas,

and Past President of QCGC Noel Prior.

QCGC Display at the EKKA

Pam, Anne Baster and Sandra

The RNA encourages member clubs to join the garden clubs displays at the EKKA.

Financial grants are available for participating clubs   

You need to have volunteers on the stand for at least a week

Northern Districts Horticultural Display Heather Prior

Winner  EKKA horticultural section

Floral Art  Society at EKKA 

Horticultural section third prize.

Orchids Societies of SouthEast Queensland 2nd. 

The Mabel Burnett Award for the Most Effective Display and the Colin Campbell Memorial Award for the Most Educational Display. There are nine Orchid Clubs who are Members of QCGC. 

Please see attached for your non-transferable Ekka entry pass for the Royal Queensland Show. These passes provide entry into the show so they must be presented and scanned at the entry gates on arrival. 

Single day passes are only valid for one day and only allows one entry per day. Both types of competitor passes allow you to enter the showgrounds before the gates officially open at 9am via the ‘Crew Gates’ (Gate 1, 2, 2a, 5 and 6).

Once your competitor pass has been scanned it is no longer valid.

If you need to exit and then re-enter the grounds please go to an Information Booth from 8am or at any exit gate and a wrist band will be provided.

Please check the Ekka website – www.ekka.com.au  for all Competition related information and important updates and contact your relevant competition planner if you have any issues.

Best wishes for a successful Ekka.

Yours sincerely

Competitions Team 

Biosecurity Queensland would like to provide the following information to Ekka exhibitors regarding Fire Ant material.

Exhibitors within the Fire Ant Zone need to ensure any fire ant material they bring into the Brisbane Showgrounds for the Ekka complies with current Fire Ant movement requirements.

Examples of Fire Ant Material:

• Baled Hay, straw or sugarcane - For example, grass, clover, lucerne or similar materials, that have been cut and dried for use as fodder, bedding or mulch.
• Mulch/green waste (woodchops sawdust) - For example, leaves and woodchops that have been or intend to be used to protect the roots of plants or used a s a decorative feature.
• Potted plants - For example, a plant that is planted and grown in a container (not in the ground)

Exhibitors within the FIre Ant Zone who are bringing any of the above materials on grounds during the Show can access the requirements here:

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/biosecurity/plants/insects/fire-ants/compliance

Thank you for your assistance in keeping the Showgrounds fire ant free.

Kind regards,
Roly Nieper: RNA Chief Veterinary Officer