126-834: The Brisbane Showgrounds (formerly known as the Brisbane Exhibition Ground ) is a multi-purpose venue located in Bowen Hills , Brisbane . Established in 1875, it hosts more than 250 events each year, the largest being the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) . The Brisbane Showgrounds was designed by Claude William Chambers and built by Walls & Juster. It is also referred to as the RNA Showgrounds, Ekka Grounds, Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, Exhibition Grounds/Show Grounds, and Royal Queensland Showgrounds. It
252-884: A raid on the Queensland Government Printing Office , with the aim of confiscating copies of Hansard that covered debates in the Queensland Parliament where anti-conscription sentiments had been aired. Russian immigration took place in the years 1911–1914. Many were radicals and revolutionaries seeking asylum from tsarist political repression in the final chaotic years of the Russian Empire ; considerable numbers were Jews escaping state-inspired pogroms. They had fled Russia via Siberia and Northern China, most making their way to Harbin , in Manchuria , then taking passage from
378-532: A triumphal arch erected in Queen Street . In May that year, the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V ) laid the foundation stone of St John's Cathedral , one of the great cathedrals of Australia . The University of Queensland was founded in 1909 and first sited at Old Government House , which became vacated as the government planned for a larger residence. Fernberg House , built in 1865, became
504-605: A bank at the Exhibition Grounds during the annual show, constructed a purpose-designed bank building in the grounds, just to the south of the Council Stand. Although it was not uncommon for banks to establish agencies at showgrounds around Australia, this building is believed to be the only "exhibition" bank building specifically constructed for the Commonwealth Bank. The northeast end of the building
630-498: A brick was thrown into the motel room and police took action to clear the road and consequently disproportionate violence was used against demonstrators. In the lead up to the 1980s Queensland fell subject to many forms of censorship. In 1977 things had escalated from prosecutions and book burnings, under the introduction of the Literature Board of Review, to a statewide ban on protests and street marches. In September 1977
756-598: A counterculture focused on the University of Queensland , street marches and Brisbane punk rock music. In 1971, the touring Springboks were to play against the Australian Rugby team. This was met with plans for protests due to the growing international and local opposition to apartheid in South Africa. However, before their arrival Bjelke-Petersen declared a state of emergency for a month, citing
882-626: A cry for "bread or blood", rioted and attempted to ransack the Government store . The City Botanic Gardens were originally established in 1825 as a farm for the Moreton Bay penal settlement , and were planted by convicts in 1825 with food crops to feed the prison colony. In 1855, several acres was declared a Botanic Reserve under the Superintendent Walter Hill , a position he held until 1881. Some trees planted in
1008-658: A destination of interstate migration. Some of Brisbane's popular landmarks were lost to development in controversial circumstances, including the Bellevue Hotel in 1979 and Cloudland in 1982. Major public works included the Riverside Expressway , the Gateway Bridge , and later, the redevelopment of South Bank . Starting with the monumental Robin Gibson -designed Queensland Cultural Centre , with
1134-517: A grand central exhibition for the competition of winners at minor shows. To avoid clashing with local shows and in order to hold the exhibition during fine weather, before the shearing season, and when good feed would be found along the roads, it was decided to stage the Exhibition in August 1876. The first exhibition building was a large timber hall with side aisles and a central clerestory . It
1260-524: A new yearling sale ring. New concrete roads and additional seating accommodation were provided. The old Industrial Pavilion was demolished in 1938 and its replacement, designed by Richard Gailey Jnr and covering an area of 3.5 acres (1.4 ha), was completed along Gregory Terrace in June 1939 at a cost of £ 40,000. A new electricity hall at the corner of Gregory Terrace and Costin Street was also completed for
1386-520: A new show pavilion for Foggitt Jones Pty Ltd (architects Addison & MacDonald ) in 1932; and a new dairy produce hall (architect Richard Gailey jnr) for the RNA in 1933. As the economy recovered during the second half of the 1930s, a number of substantial improvements were made to the RNA's exhibition facilities. In 1936, Gailey called tenders for a Wool Hall, additions to the pig and horse pavilions, new Stock & Station Agents' offices and dining hall and
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#17327825849311512-471: A permit. You won't get one. That's government policy now." In response to this, protesters came up with the idea of Phantom Civil Liberties Marches where protesters would gather and march until the police and media arrived. They would then disperse, and gather together again until the media and police returned, repeating the process over and over again. The end of the Bjelke-Petersen era began with
1638-467: A popular mode of public transport until the network was closed in 1969, in part the result of the Paddington tram depot fire . Between 1968 and 1987, Queensland was governed by Bjelke-Petersen, whose government was characterised by social conservatism , police corruption , and the brutal suppression of protest and has been described as a police state . However, during this time Brisbane developed
1764-466: A prominent roof fleche , was erected along the northern side of Gregory Terrace near the main entrance. A section of this building was utilised as a Post Office by August 1933. During the First World War (1914–18), a military recruiting and training camp, complete with a rifle range, was established at the Exhibition Grounds, but this did not prevent the annual Exhibition from proceeding. In
1890-497: A show ring in the position of the present main show ring, the 1885 grandstand (where the Ernest Baynes Stand is now located), animal shelters along the boundaries and the secretary's residence near Brookes Street. The new exhibition building was completed in 1892 and a public holiday was declared for 10 August 1982 to mark the official opening of the Exhibition. Despite the economic depression, 32,000 people attended on
2016-464: A spike ' , referencing the shape of the Brisbane River along the area that Brisbane CBD now straddles. A contemporary Turrbal organisation has also suggested it means ' the place of the blue water lilies ' . Local Elder Gaja Kerry Charlton posits that Meanjin is based on a European understanding of ' spike ' , and that the phonetically similar Yagara name Magandjin — after
2142-447: A substantial settlement of brick and stone buildings, complete with school and hospital. He formed additional outstations and made several important journeys of exploration. Logan became infamous for his extreme use of the cat o' nine tails on convicts. The maximum allowed limit of lashes was 50; however, Logan regularly applied sentences of 150 lashes. During this period raids on maize fields were conducted by local Aboriginal groups in
2268-544: A tent and often landed ashore, thus bestowing upon the future Brisbane City the distinction of being the only Australian capital city visited by its namesake. Chief Justice Forbes gave the new settlement the name of Edenglassie before it was named Brisbane . The penal settlement under the control of Captain Patrick Logan (Commandant from 1826 to 1830) flourished, with the numbers of convicts increasing dramatically from around 200 to over 1,000 men. He developed
2394-461: Is also known as Meanjin , a Turrbal word that originally referred to land on which parts of the city are built, or as Magandjin , a Yagara word referring to the tulipwood tree . Aboriginal Australians have lived in coastal South East Queensland for at least 22,000 years, with an estimated population between 6,000 and 10,000 individuals before European settlement in the 1820s. Aboriginal groups claiming traditional ownership of
2520-672: Is also known for its extensive parks and outdoor attractions including the City Botanic Gardens , Victoria Park , Roma Street Parkland , New Farm Park , the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens , the Brisbane Riverwalk , Moreton Bay , Moreton Island and D'Aguilar National Park . Brisbane is named after the Brisbane River , which in turn was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane , the governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825. The name
2646-655: Is derived from the Scottish Gaelic bris , meaning ' to break or smash ' and the Old English word ban meaning ' bone ' . Popular nicknames for Brisbane Brissie , Brisvegas , "Brizzie" and the River City . Brisbane sits on indigenous land known also as Meanjin , the name used in the Turrbal language of one group of traditional owners . Meanjin means ' place shaped as
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#17327825849312772-625: Is expected to take 15 years to complete, at a projected cost of $ 2.9 billion. The association with regional Queensland and the rural tradition has been and will remain central to the character of the Brisbane Exhibition and the grounds in which it is held, but the RNA has incorporated new ideas and technology to meet the expectations of today's show patrons. In recent years new attractions at the Exhibition Grounds have included communications technology displays. Bowen Hills, Queensland Too Many Requests If you report this error to
2898-441: Is frequently ranked highly in lists of the most liveable cities . Brisbane has hosted major events including the 1982 Commonwealth Games , World Expo 88 , the 2001 Goodwill Games , the 2014 G20 summit , and will host the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics . Brisbane is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations and is Australia's most biodiverse and greenest city . South Bank and its extensive parklands
3024-682: Is located in the hilly floodplain of the Brisbane River Valley between Moreton Island and the Taylor and D'Aguilar mountain ranges . It sprawls across several local government areas , most centrally the City of Brisbane . The demonym of Brisbane is Brisbanite . The Moreton Bay penal settlement was founded in 1824 at Redcliffe as a place for secondary offenders from the Sydney colony , and soon moved to North Quay in 1825 on
3150-1157: Is the most visited tourist landmark in Australia, with over 14+ million visitors every year. Other major landmarks and precincts of the city include the Queensland Cultural Centre (including the Queensland Art Gallery , the Gallery of Modern Art , the Queensland Museum , the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre ), Brisbane City Hall , the Story Bridge , Howard Smith Wharves , Queen's Wharf , St John's cathedral , and Mount Coot-tha Lookout . Much of Brisbane's inner-city neighbourhoods are also characterised by its historic Queenslander architecture . Brisbane
3276-408: The 11th Regiment conducted another dispersal wounding several. Also in 1849, York's Hollow started to be used as a campsite for the influx of newly arrived European immigrants under John Dunmore Lang 's immigration scheme. It was also utilised as a site for brick manufacture and by 1860 it appears that Aboriginal people were no longer able to reside in the area. In July 1863, the site became part of
3402-743: The Allied command in the South West Pacific was based in the city, along with the headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur of the United States Army. Brisbane is a global centre for research and innovation and is a transportation hub, being served by large rail , bus and ferry networks, as well as Brisbane Airport and the Port of Brisbane , Australia's third-busiest airport and seaport. A diverse city with over 36% of its metropolitan population being foreign-born, Brisbane
3528-599: The Brisbane City Council . A significant year for Brisbane was 1930, with the completion of Brisbane City Hall , then the city's tallest building and the Shrine of Remembrance , in ANZAC Square , which has become Brisbane's main war memorial. These historic buildings, along with the Story Bridge which opened in 1940, are key landmarks that help define the architectural character of the city. Following
3654-637: The Corn Field Raids of 1827-1828 . These groups destroyed and plundered the maize fields in South Bank and Kangaroo Point , with the possible motive of extracting compensation from the settlers or warning them not to expand beyond their current area. Between 1824 and 1842, almost 2,400 men and 145 women were detained at the Moreton Bay convict settlement under the control of military commandants. However, non-convict European settlement of
3780-664: The Fitzgerald Inquiry of 1987 to 1989, a judicial inquiry presided over by Tony Fitzgerald investigating Queensland Police corruption . The inquiry resulted in the resignation of Premier Bjelke-Petersen, the calling of two by-elections, the jailing of three former ministers and the Police Commissioner Terry Lewis (who also lost his knighthood ). It also contributed to the end of the National Party of Australia 's 32-year run as
3906-607: The Gallery of Modern Art in 2006, and the Kurilpa Bridge in 2009, the world's largest hybrid tensegrity bridge. Brisbane also hosted major international events including the final Goodwill Games in 2001, the Rugby League World Cup final in 2008 and again in 2017, as well as the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit . Population growth has continued to be among the highest of the Australian capital cities in
Brisbane Showgrounds - Misplaced Pages Continue
4032-588: The Queensland Acclimatisation Society 's grounds. This Society, established in 1862 to promote the introduction, acclimatisation , propagation and distribution in Queensland of economically useful plants and animals, was granted 33 acres (13 ha) of land bounded by Bowen Bridge Road, O'Connell Terrace, Brookes Street and Gregory Terrace . At the north-western corner of the site, fronting Bowen Bridge Road and O'Connell Terrace,
4158-568: The Queensland Government introduced a ban on all street protests, resulting in a statewide civil liberties campaign of defiance. This saw two thousand people arrested and fined, with another hundred being imprisoned, at a cost of almost five million dollars to the State Government. Bjelke-Petersen publicly announced on 4 September 1977 that "the day of the political street march is over ... Don't bother to apply for
4284-795: The Queensland Governor , Sir William Wellington Cairns , was held to form the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland. A constitution drafted by the headmaster of the Brisbane Grammar School , Thomas Harlin, was adopted in July, and the first meeting of the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland was held at the Brisbane Town Hall on 13 August 1875. Arthur Hunter Palmer , later Premier of Queensland ,
4410-725: The Queensland Parliament built in 1867. The 1880s brought a period of economic prosperity and a major construction boom in Brisbane, that produced an impressive number of notable public and commercial buildings. John James Clark was appointed Queensland Government Architect in 1883, and continuing in Tiffin's design for public buildings, asserted the propriety of the Italian Renaissance, drawing upon typological elements and details from conservative High Renaissance sources. Building in this trace of intellectualism, Clark designed
4536-715: The Red Flag riots , were waged throughout Brisbane. The most notable incident occurred on 24 March 1919, when a crowd of about 8,000 ex-servicemen clashed violently with police who were preventing them from attacking the Russian Hall in Merivale Street, South Brisbane , which was known as the Battle of Merivale Street. Over 20 small municipalities and shires were amalgamated in 1925 to form the City of Brisbane, governed by
4662-723: The Treasury Building in 1886, and the Yungaba Immigration Centre in 1885. Other major works of the era include Customs House in 1889, and the Old Museum Building completed in 1891. Fort Lytton was constructed in 1882 at the mouth of the Brisbane river, to protect the city against foreign colonial powers such as Russia and France , and was the only moated fort ever built in Australia. The city's slum district of Frog's Hollow , named so for its location being low-lying and swampy,
4788-612: The Vacuum Oil Co . (concrete structure), and the Kodak Company Ltd , and a demonstration fibrous cement cottage designed by architect EP Trewern for James Hardie & Co . At this period the RNA sought to make the grounds a first-class venue for cricket, football and other sports, but had limited success in attracting the big matches. The year 1928 was a high point for the Association's sporting ambitions, with
4914-501: The third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania , with a population over 2.7 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of South East Queensland , an urban agglomeration with a population of approximately 4 million which includes several other regional centres and cities. The central business district is situated within a peninsula of the Brisbane River about 15 km (9 mi) from its mouth at Moreton Bay . Brisbane
5040-524: The 1910s, Brisbane architects Richard Gailey snr and Richard Gailey jnr established a relationship with the National Association which was to last through the 1920s and 1930s. In May 1914, they called tenders for the construction of a sheep, pig and poultry pavilion and fencing along Gregory Terrace and in 1917 for timber dog and horse pavilions. In 1917, Toowoomba's Austral Hall (designed by architect William Hodgen and erected in 1904)
5166-622: The 1939 show – reputedly the first show pavilion in Australia dedicated entirely to electricity exhibits. (The Hall of Science, as it was later known, was demolished in 1986 to make way for a new Exhibition Building). During the Second World War , the Exhibition Grounds were occupied from late 1939 to 1944 by military authorities as a venue for training, accommodation and embarkation of troops. (Showgrounds and racecourses with their ovals and existing toilet facilities were favoured places to temporarily accommodate service personnel.) Troops at
Brisbane Showgrounds - Misplaced Pages Continue
5292-445: The 22-hectare (54-acre) site; comprising an upgrade to the showgrounds' facilities and the inclusion of new office, retail and residential spaces. This involved the demolition and clearing of various buildings and areas – mostly concentrated in the southeastern portion of the site (bounded by Alexandria Street, St Pauls Terrace, Costin Street, Constance Street and Gregory Terrace). Buildings and areas demolished or removed by 2015 included:
5418-562: The Association became immersed in more political activities. Nurseryman Albert John Hockings was instrumental in holding horticultural shows in Brisbane from 1855. In the 1860s other regional agricultural and pastoral associations were formed, among the earliest being the Darling Downs Agricultural Society (based at Toowoomba ) in 1860, the Drayton and Toowoomba Agricultural and Horticultural Society in 1864,
5544-411: The Association's assets, leasing the Exhibition Grounds back to the Association at an annual rental. In the early 1900s, the Queensland economy revived and the National Association's financial position firmed. Substantial improvements and re-arrangements of the Exhibition Grounds were made in 1906 in time for the August show. A fine new grandstand, designed by Brisbane architect Claude William Chambers ,
5670-563: The Brisbane region commenced in 1838 and the population grew strongly thereafter, with free settlers soon far outstripping the convict population. German missionaries settled at Zions Hill, Nundah as early as 1837, five years before Brisbane was officially declared a free settlement. The band consisted of ministers Christopher Eipper (1813–1894), Carl Wilhelm Schmidt , and lay missionaries Haussmann, Johann Gottried Wagner, Niquet, Hartenstein, Zillman, Franz, Rode, Doege and Schneider. They were allocated 260 hectares and set about establishing
5796-565: The Duke of York's clan in Victoria Park in 1846 and 1849 by British soldiers of the 11th Regiment , however the clan had been wrongfully targeted as the attacks on Brisbane had not been committed by the Turrbal themselves but other tribes farther north. In 1855, Dundalli , a prominent leader during the conflict, was captured and executed by hanging at the present site of the GPO . In 1862,
5922-467: The East Moreton Farmers Association (based at Ipswich) in 1866 and the Eastern Downs Horticultural and Agricultural Association (based at Warwick) in 1867. These Associations conducted annual exhibitions of agricultural, horticultural, and pastoral produce and farm machinery. Prizes were awarded for best exhibits. The object was to encourage the exchange of knowledge and to foster better farm practice. Associations such as these proliferated in Queensland during
6048-426: The Economic Development Act 2012, with the term Priority Development Area superseding the term Urban Development Area). The RNA launched a project to redevelop the showgrounds and in 2009 selected property and infrastructure company, Lend Lease , as their redevelopment partner. In 2010, the RNA and Lend Lease unveiled plans for the Brisbane Showgrounds Regeneration Project, a redevelopment of 5.5 hectares (14 acres) of
6174-476: The Ekka on the site of the Brisbane Showgrounds dates back to August 1876, with the staging of the Queensland Intercolonial Exhibition. None of the buildings from 1876 have survived, but the grounds have increased from an original 12 acres (4.9 ha) to 22 hectares (54 acres) and contain a variety of structures and facilities associated with the annual August Ekka. The site has been the venue for Queensland's principal agricultural exhibition for 139 years. It remains
6300-415: The Ernest Baynes Stand overlooking the show ring, had been constructed. The Stand was originally two storeys. At some early period the northern end of the building was extended to incorporate an entrance to the seating in front of the stand. By 1938, a third storey had been added to the building and later a two-storey extension facing Executive Street was constructed. In 1927, legislation was enacted to grant
6426-432: The Exhibition Building was refurbished for the Queensland Museum , which moved to the building from William Street in 1899 (now known as the Old Museum Building ). At this time the museum grounds were resumed from the National Association's land as a separate reserve. The National Association struggled to maintain the viability of the remaining Exhibition Grounds until 1902–03, when the Queensland Government took control of
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#17327825849316552-479: The Exhibition Ground was commandeered to host the matches, as a safe distance could be maintained between spectators and would-be protesters. A two-metre-high (6.6 ft) chain wire fence was erected to separate spectators from players. A new two-storey brick building for use by the police during the annual show was completed for the 1971 Exhibition. It was located inside the main entrance from Gregory Terrace and replaced an earlier timber building. A new Members Stand
6678-473: The Exhibition Grounds, in time for the 1928 show. (Previously the creche was located on the main showgrounds north of Gregory Terrace.) The centre was operated by the Creche and Kindergarten Association and provided baby care while parents were enjoying the rounds of the show. In 1939, the Creche was removed to a new location near the Anglican dining hall, north of Gregory Terrace. In 1929, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia , which since 1923 had been conducting
6804-425: The Exhibition of 1942 was cancelled, but was renewed in a limited fashion in 1943 and 1944. Following the war, the RNA purchased a number of buildings from the military, for use on the site. The 1950s saw further improvements and works to the grounds with the construction of a Beef Cattle Pavilion in 1950, the work being carried out by MR Hornibrook Builders at a cost of £ 206,000, and the addition of seating around
6930-431: The Frank Nicklin Pavilion, Walter Burnett Building and Auditorium, Agricultural Hall and Douglas Wadley Pavilion, Frank Robertson Pavilion, Building No.4, Main Parade Food Stall and Show Time Snack Bar, Agricultural Street Bar, Machinery Street Fish Place, Agricultural Open Area, Industrial Open Area, Police Exhibit and chairlift. The plans for the project were approved in 2010 and construction began in April 2011. The project
7056-425: The Gardens were among the first of their species to be planted in Australia, including the jacaranda and poinciana . Charles Tiffin was appointed as Queensland Government Architect in 1859, and pursued an intellectual policy in the design of public buildings based on Italianate and Renaissance revivalism , with such buildings as Government House , the Department of Primary Industries Building in 1866, and
7182-421: The National Association and Acclimatisation Society grounds creating the Exhibition railway station . The line was later re-routed via Central Station , Brunswick Street (now known as Fortitude Valley railway station) and Bowen Hills railway station , but the Exhibition railway line still opens each year during the August show. By 1882, the Exhibition Grounds comprised all the land south, southeast and east of
7308-424: The National Association called for competitive designs for a permanent exhibition building. Under the provisions of the National Association and Acclimatisation Society Act 1890, the land leased from the Queensland Acclimatisation Society for an exhibition ground was resumed and granted to the National Association as Trustees, who were also empowered under this act to borrow money from the Queensland Government to erect
7434-523: The National Association perpetual lease of the grounds, at that time comprising just under 20 acres (8.1 ha). There followed a burst of ground improvements, mostly designed by architect Richard Gailey Jnr, including a dog pavilion, meat exhibition pavilion, more turnstiles and a new lavatory block in 1927; new horse and cattle stalls; and turnstiles at the corner of Costin Street and Gregory Terrace, in 1928. Also erected in 1928 were show pavilions for General Motors Pty Ltd , Brisbane Cars & Tractors Ltd,
7560-438: The Pineapple rebellion. During World War II, Brisbane became central to the Allied campaign, since it was the northernmost city with adequate communications facilities. From July 1942 to September 1944, AMP Building (now called MacArthur Central ) was used as the headquarters for South West Pacific Area under General MacArthur. MacArthur had previously rejected use of the University of Queensland complex as his headquarters, as
7686-526: The Society established a public exhibition garden Bowen Park . The remainder of the site was used for experimentation purposes, growing and propagating plants and seeds sent from other parts of Queensland, other colonies and around the world, and raising various introduced animals. The Society played an important role in the beginnings of commercial agriculture in Queensland, introducing or trialling crops and plants such as mango trees, ginger plants, sugar cane , olive trees and choko vines. The history of
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#17327825849317812-427: The Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 220229780 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:29:45 GMT Brisbane Brisbane ( / ˈ b r ɪ z b ən / BRIZ -bən , Turrbal : Meanjin ) is the capital and largest city of the state of Queensland and
7938-418: The Woolstore precinct as well as the development of South Bank Parklands . Brisbane was impacted by major floods in January 2011 and February 2022 . The Brisbane River did not reach the same height as the previous 1974 flood on either occasion, but caused extensive disruption and damage to infrastructure. The Queensland Cultural Centre was also expanded, with the completion of the State Library and
8064-436: The annual Exhibition, the building is in constant use for all sorts of activities, including expositions, balls and conferences. It was also the venue for the first public airing of the Fitzgerald Inquiry Report on corruption in Queensland, on 3 July 1989. In 2008, Bowen Hills – including the area of the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds – was declared an Urban Development Area under the Urban Land Development Act 2007 (replaced by
8190-564: The area include the Yagara , Turrbal and Quandamooka peoples. A website representing a Turrbal culture organisation claims that historical documents suggest that the Turrbal peoples were the only traditional owners of Brisbane when British settlers first arrived. Archaeological evidence suggests frequent habitation around the Brisbane River, and notably at the site now known as Musgrave Park . The rivers were integral to life and supplied an abundance of food included fish, shellfish, crab, and prawns . Good fishing places became campsites and
8316-438: The banks of the Brisbane River, so named for British army general and Governor of New South Wales Sir Thomas Brisbane . German Lutherans established the first free settlement of Zion Hill at Nundah in 1838, and in 1859 Brisbane was chosen as Queensland's capital when the state separated from New South Wales . By the late 19th century, the city had grown into a major port and centre of immigration. During World War II ,
8442-427: The bay, which he named after James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton , misspelled as "Moreton". Matthew Flinders initially explored the Moreton Bay area on behalf of the British authorities. On 17 July 1799, Flinders landed at present-day Woody Point , which he named Red Cliff Point after the red-coloured cliffs visible from the bay. In 1823 the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane, gave instructions for
8568-459: The capital. Old Government House was constructed in 1862 to house Sir George Bowen's family, including his wife, the noblewoman Diamantina, Lady Bowen di Roma . During the tenure of Lord Lamington , Old Government House was the likely site of the origin of Lamingtons . During the War of Southern Queensland , Indigenous attacks occurred across the city, committing robberies and terrorising unarmed residents. Reprisal raids took place against
8694-452: The city which helped shake this stigma. In 1955, Wickham Terrace was the site of a terrorist incident involving shootings and bombs, by the German immigrant Karl Kast . Despite steady growth, Brisbane's development was punctuated by infrastructure problems. The state government under Joh Bjelke-Petersen began a major program of change and urban renewal, beginning with the central business district and inner suburbs. Trams in Brisbane were
8820-433: The current city heart: Barambin or York's Hollow camp (today's Victoria Park ) and Woolloon-cappem ( Woolloongabba / South Brisbane ), also known as Kurilpa . These camping grounds continued to function well into colonial times, and were the basis of European settlement in parts of Brisbane. In 1770, British navigator James Cook sailed through South Passage between the main offshore islands leading to
8946-490: The death of King George V in 1936, Albert square was widened to include the area which had been Albert Street, and renamed King George Square in honour of the King. An equestrian statue of the king and two Bronze Lion sculptures were unveiled in 1938. In 1939, armed farmers marched on the Queensland Parliament and stormed the building in an attempt to take hostage the Queensland Government led by Labor Premier William Forgan Smith , in an event that became known as
9072-522: The development of a new northern penal settlement , and an exploration party commanded by John Oxley further explored Moreton Bay in November 1823. Oxley explored the Brisbane River as far as Goodna , 20 km (12 mi) upstream from the present-day central business district of Brisbane. He also named the river after the governor of the time. Oxley also recommended Red Cliff Point for
9198-612: The distinctive bends in the river at St Lucia could have aided enemy bombers. Also used as a headquarters by the American troops during World War II was the T & G Building . About one million US troops passed through Australia during the war, as the primary co-ordination point for the South West Pacific. Wartime Brisbane was defined by the racial segregation of African American servicemen, prohibition and sly grog , crime, and jazz ballrooms . In 1942, Brisbane
9324-526: The end of 1840, Robert Dixon had begun work on the first plan of Brisbane Town, in anticipation of future development. The Roman Catholic church erected the Pugin Chapel in 1850, to the design by the gothic revivalist Augustus Pugin . Letters patent dated 6 June 1859, proclaimed by Sir George Ferguson Bowen on 10 December 1859, separated Queensland from New South Wales, whereupon Bowen became Queensland's first governor, with Brisbane chosen as
9450-608: The exhibition grounds slept in pig and cattle pens; the bars beneath the John MacDonald Stand became wet canteens; and troop trains departed from the railway platforms normally used by show patrons. In 1940 and again in 1941, the military vacated the grounds temporarily for the August Exhibition. Following the entry of Japan into the war in December 1941, American troops were stationed at the showgrounds and
9576-715: The first competitive demonstration of agricultural and industrial progress in the colony. In 1854, squatters from the Darling Downs and Moreton Bay districts of New South Wales established the Northern Districts' Agricultural and Pastoral Association, modelled on the Scottish Highland Agricultural Societies. They planned to hold exhibitions (mainly of pastoral produce) at Brisbane , Ipswich , Warwick , Drayton and Gayndah , in rotation, and some shows were held before
9702-401: The first exhibition building was destroyed by fire. The public called for it to be replaced with a masonry building, but the National Association was reluctant to commit to the necessary expenditure without more secure land tenure, against which they could borrow money for permanent exhibition buildings. In 1888 a temporary timber exhibition building was constructed for approximately £ 500, while
9828-405: The first stage the Queensland Art Gallery completed in 1982, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in 1985, and the Queensland Museum in 1986. Brisbane hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games and World Expo 88 . These events were accompanied by a scale of public expenditure, construction, and development not previously seen in the state of Queensland. Brisbane's population growth far exceeded
9954-595: The first sugarcane plantation in Queensland was established near Brisbane by Captain Louis Hope and John Buhôt . In 1864, the Great Fire of Brisbane burned through the central parts of the city, destroying much of Queen Street. The 1860s were a period of economic and political turmoil leading to high unemployment, in 1866 hundreds of impoverished workers convened a meeting at the Treasury Hotel , with
10080-820: The first two decades of the 21st century, and major infrastructure including the Howard Smith Wharves , Roma Street Parklands , Queens Wharf , the Brisbane Riverwalk , the Queen's Wharf casino and resort precinct, the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, the Clem Jones , Airport Link , and Legacy Way road tunnels, and the Airport , Springfield , Redcliffe Peninsula and Cross River Rail railway lines have been completed or are under construction. Brisbane will host
10206-461: The focus of group activities. The district was defined by open woodlands with rainforest in some pockets or bends of the Brisbane River. Being a resource-rich area and a natural avenue for seasonal movement, Meanjin and the surrounding areas acted as a way station for groups travelling to ceremonies and spectacles. The region had several large (200–600 person) seasonal camps, the biggest and most important located along waterways north and south of
10332-487: The governing political party in Queensland. In 1973, the Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub in the city's entertainment district , was firebombed that resulted in 15 deaths, in what is one of Australia's worst mass killings . The 1974 Brisbane flood was a major disaster which temporarily crippled the city, and saw a substantial landslip at Corinda . During this era, Brisbane grew and modernised, rapidly becoming
10458-539: The grounds and a small showring was established north of the Exhibition Building. The first Queensland Intercolonial Exhibition was declared open by Governor Cairns on Tuesday 22 August 1876 and ran until 28 August. It proved immensely popular, with a total of £ 1045 taken at the gate. Thereafter, the Exhibition became an annual event. In the period 1876–1888, the National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland expended an estimated £ 7000 on
10584-404: The grounds. The main exhibition building was doubled in size for the 1877 exhibition and another annexe was provided for horticultural exhibits. In 1879, the National Association was awarded a lease of 23 acres (9.3 ha) of the 32-acre (13 ha) Acclimatisation Society grounds for a period of 50 years, for use as an exhibition ground. In 1881 the railway to Sandgate was constructed through
10710-487: The holiday and more than 66,000 over the four-day course of the Exhibition. However, the National Association did not escape the effects of the 1890s depression , struggling to repay the government loan on the exhibition building. In 1897 the Queensland Government resumed the building and liquidated the Association's debts. The Exhibition Concert Hall continued to serve as a concert venue but the remainder of
10836-401: The home of the annual Royal Queensland Show and is Queensland's premier showground. Since 1876, four annual Royal Queensland Shows on this site have been cancelled: the 1919 Exhibition due to the influenza epidemic , in 1942 during World War II when the grounds were occupied by military personnel and the 2020 and 2021 shows due to COVID-19. Queensland's 1876 Intercolonial Exhibition was not
10962-529: The importance of the tour. This did not stop the protest however with violent clashes between protestors and police erupting when several hundred demonstrators assembled outside a Brisbane motel on Thursday, 22 July 1971, where the Springbok team was staying. A second protest saw a large number of demonstrators assembled once more outside the Tower Mill Motel and after 15 minutes of peaceful protest,
11088-528: The late 1960s, the face of Sideshow Alley , traditionally home to the weird and wonderful, began to change. The tents and booths largely disappeared, to be replaced with high technology rides, tests of skill and popular music entertainment. Controversy was generated when the Queensland Government declared a state of emergency from 13 July to 2 August, during the 1971 South African Springbok Rugby team tour , when demonstrations against apartheid were held in Brisbane and throughout Australia. The main show ring at
11214-540: The main oval near Machinery Hill. Also constructed in the 1950s was a new Dairy Industry Hall, adjacent to the John Reid Pavilion, on the site of the 1933 dairy hall. By the late 1950s, the grounds comprised approximately 50 acres (20 ha). The Brisbane Exhibition Ground was also the site chosen for the people of Brisbane to welcome Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip , the Duke of Edinburgh , when they visited Australia during March 1954. It
11340-665: The mission, which became known as the German Station. Later in the 1860s many German immigrants from the Uckermark region in Prussia as well as from other German regions settled in the areas of Bethania , Beenleigh and the Darling Downs . These immigrants were selected and assisted through immigration programs established by Rev Dr John Dunmore Lang and Johann Christian Heussler and were offered free passage, good wages, and selections of land. Scottish immigrants from
11466-418: The national average in the last two decades of the 20th century, with a high level of interstate migration from Victoria and New South Wales. In the late 1980s Brisbane's inner-city areas were struggling with economic stagnation, urban decay and crime which resulted in an exodus of residents and business to the suburban fringe, in the early 1990s the city undertook an extensive and successful urban renewal of
11592-519: The native tulipwood trees ( magan ) at Gardens Point — is a more accurate and appropriate Aboriginal name for Brisbane. Aboriginal groups claiming traditional ownership of the area include the Yagara , Turrbal and Quandamooka peoples. Brisbane is home to the land of a number of Aboriginal language groups, primarily the Yagara language group which includes the Turrbal language . The city
11718-538: The new colony, reporting that ships could land at any tide and easily get close to the shore. The convict settlement party landed in Redcliffe on 13 September 1824 formally establishing the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement that would become Brisbane. The party was under the command of Lieutenant Henry Miller and consisted of 14 soldiers (some with wives and children) and 29 convicts. However,
11844-494: The new exhibition building. The design competition was won by GHM Addison, the Brisbane partner of the Melbourne-based firm Oakden, Addison and Kemp . In 1890 Addison amended his original design to a T-shape, incorporating a southern wing with a concert hall which could be rented out to offset repayments on the government loan. The new building was erected closer to the corner of Bowen Bridge Road and Gregory Terrace than
11970-465: The original building. The foundation stone was laid on 25 April 1891 and the builder, John Quinn, was required to have a section of the building completed for the August 1891 exhibition, with the whole of the building to be completed within 12 months. A plan of the Exhibition Grounds published in The Queenslander on 15 August 1891 shows the new exhibition building, several smaller pavilions,
12096-499: The port of Dalian to Townsville or Brisbane, the first Australian ports of call. Following the First World War , conflict arose between returned servicemen of the First Australian Imperial Force and socialists along with other elements of society that the ex-servicemen considered to be disloyal toward Australia. Over the course of 1918–1919, a series of violent demonstrations and attacks known as
12222-463: The railway line and bounded by Bowen Bridge Road, Gregory Terrace, Brookes Street and O'Connell Terrace. A 1000-seat capacity grandstand, designed by FDG Stanley , was erected in 1885 (not the first grandstand on the site). In 1887 a timber residence designed by GHM Addison was constructed at the corner of O'Connell Terrace and Brookes Street for the Secretary of the National Association. In 1887,
12348-403: The return of service personnel from overseas at the end of the First World War , army huts were erected at the exhibition grounds as isolation wards for the nearby Brisbane General Hospital , and dining rooms were set up to feed and house the expected influx of seriously ill patients. Due to the threat of crowd contagion and to prevent disturbing patients in the isolation wards, the Exhibition
12474-399: The same year, with the city receiving more than a year's rainfall during February 1893, leaving much of the city's population homeless. In 1896, the Brisbane river saw its worst maritime disaster with the capsize of the ferry Pearl , between the 80–100 people on board there were only 40 survivors. When the colonies federated in 1901, celebrations were held in Brisbane to mark the event, with
12600-568: The second half of the 19th century and each held an annual "show". In 1874 moves were initiated by Queensland's Chief Inspector of Stock, Patrick Robertson Gordon , to form a national agricultural society, to plan Brisbane's first intercolonial exhibition. He was supported by Gresley Lukin , editor of the Brisbane Courier and the Queenslander , and agricultural agent John Fenwick. In May 1875 an inaugural meeting, presided over by
12726-445: The settlers abandoned this site after a year and moved to an area on the Brisbane River now known as North Quay, 28 km (17 mi) south, which offered a more reliable water-supply. The newly selected Brisbane region was plagued by mosquitoes at the time. After visiting the Redcliffe settlement, Sir Thomas Brisbane then travelled 45 km (28 mi) up the Brisbane River in December 1824. Governor Brisbane stayed overnight in
12852-470: The ship Fortitude arrived in Brisbane in 1849, enticed by Lang on the promise of free land grants. Denied land, the immigrants set up camp in York's Hollow waterholes in the vicinity of today's Victoria Park , Herston , Queensland. A number of the immigrants moved in and settled the suburb, naming it Fortitude Valley after the ship on which they arrived. Free settlers entered the area from 1835, and by
12978-555: The showground the venue for the first England versus Australia cricket test in Queensland and the first in the 1928–29 series. Legendary Australian cricketer Donald Bradman made his Test debut at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds in 1928. More successful than cricket or football was Exhibition Speedway, established in 1926. A new Lady Forster Creche was opened in Costin Street, near the main entrance to
13104-476: The smaller sections made in Australia. The foundation stone of the new grandstand was laid by Queensland Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan , in November 1922 and the stand was completed in time for the August 1923 Exhibition, at a cost of £ 26,884. The sub-floor contained a dining room which could accommodate 600 persons at a sitting and a row of ten shops facing the lane at the rear of the structure. A second show ring, intended principally for exhibiting dairy cattle,
13230-513: The temporary residence in 1910, and later made the permanent government house. In 1912, Tramway employees were stood down for wearing union badges which sparked Australia's first general strike , the 1912 Brisbane General Strike , which became known as Black Friday, for the savagery of the police baton charges on crowds of trade unionists and their supporters. In 1917, during World War I , the Commonwealth Government conducted
13356-509: The valley as Sideshow Alley. In 1909, the year of the Jubilee Exhibition (celebrating 50 years since the separation of Queensland from New South Wales ), the Exhibition Grounds were extended with the acquisition of Petty's Paddock, an adjacent 6 acres (2.4 ha) bounded by Gregory Terrace and Alexandria, Science and Water Streets, purchased for £ 4500. Around 1910, a two-storey timber building with pressed metal ceilings and
13482-402: The word " Ekka " (a long-standing colloquial shortening of the word 'Exhibition'). During the interwar years many improvements were made to the exhibition grounds, with various buildings erected or extended during this period. A timber show hall was erected c. 1921 between Gregory Terrace and Water Street and a brick exhibition building, designed by architects Atkinson & Conrad ,
13608-654: Was Queen Elizabeth's first visit to Australia as Queen of Australia and 30,000 people attended the 40-minute welcome ceremony at the Exhibition Ground. A number of new buildings were erected in the 1960s. In 1962, the RNA moved its offices from the Queensland Primary Producers Association building in Adelaide Street to the Exhibition Grounds and in 1970 a purpose-built RNA Administration Building costing $ 111,584
13734-619: Was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 25 July 2003. The Brisbane Showgrounds is owned and operated by The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland . Over 9 days in August, it hosts the Ekka show . Throughout the rest of the year, other events can hire spaces in the Brisbane Showgrounds. The site of the Brisbane Showgrounds, together with the nearby Victoria Park ,
13860-543: Was both the red light district of colonial Brisbane and its Chinatown , and was the site of prostitution , sly grog , and opium dens . In 1888, Frog's Hollow was the site of anti-Chinese riots, where more than 2000 people attacked Chinese homes and businesses. In 1893 Brisbane was affected by the Black February flood , when the Brisbane River burst its banks on three occasions in February and again in June in
13986-627: Was cancelled that year. In 1920, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII ) visited the Exhibition, following which the Association moved to incorporate the word "Royal" into its name as the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland , which over the years has been reduced, unofficially, to the Royal National Association (RNA). In recent years the RNA has registered as its trademark
14112-520: Was considered to be a sensible arrangement. There were common interests, the site was well supplied with water and convenient to the city and it was thought at the time that many women and townspeople, who might have hesitated in visiting a purely utilitarian exhibition of produce, animals and farm machinery, may have been induced by the additional attraction of the Acclimatisation Society Gardens. The Intercolonial Exhibition
14238-423: Was constructed in 1923 for Lever Bros of Sydney . In 1922–23, the Ernest Baynes Stand was erected on the site of the 1885 grandstand. Designed by architect Richard Gailey, Junior and constructed by John Hutchinson, the building had two tiers with a seating capacity of 5000 and a total capacity of 7000. It was constructed with a steel frame faced with brick, the larger steel sections being imported from Britain and
14364-585: Was constructed in the 1970s. Improvements and new buildings in the 1980s included: The Walter Burnett Building was designed by architects Hulme and Webster and is adjacent the Frank Nicklin Pavilion (honouring Queensland Premier Frank Nicklin ) which accommodates fine arts exhibitions. The auditorium of the Walter Burnett Building seats 1000 people and is equipped with a stage and dance floor. Besides its importance to
14490-640: Was elected to the chair and other founding members included Joshua Peter Bell , George Harris , George Gromes, Thomas Harlin, Charles Stewart Mein and William Hemmant . At this meeting, the use of part of the Queensland Acclimatisation Society's grounds was discussed and subsequently, a lease of approximately 12 acres (4.9 ha) from the Society was arranged. The alliance with the Acclimatisation Society
14616-446: Was enlarged. By 1970, the grounds comprised approximately 55 acres (22 ha). The first animal nursery was established by RNA councillor Frank Robertson at the 1964 show. The baby animals have proved one of the most popular and enduring of the show traditions and has been copied by show societies throughout Australia. At the 1972 Exhibition a purpose-built facility for the animal nursery was opened, named in honour of Mr Robertson. In
14742-401: Was erected at a cost of £ 6248. (In 1923, this stand was renamed the John MacDonald Stand in honour of a long-serving National Association councillor). The sideshow booths which had been located on the hill to the north of the main ring, were moved to the valley on the northwest side of the railway, their place being taken by machinery exhibits. The hill has since been known as Machinery Hill and
14868-408: Was erected in 1876 along Gregory Terrace near the corner of Bowen Bridge Road, at a cost of £ 1254, and was a modification of a design prepared by Queensland Colonial Architect FDG Stanley. Sydney exhibitor Jules Joubert added a rectangular wing to the northern side to increase the extent of his exhibition. Cattle, sheep and horse stalls of hardwood framing with corrugated iron roofing were erected in
14994-561: Was established to the north of the Exhibition railway line which transects the Exhibition Grounds and was ready for the show of 1924. Its construction reflected the growing importance of the dairy industry to Queensland where, with Government encouragement, it became Queensland's second largest primary industry and sustained rural Queensland during the depression of the 1930s . By 1925, the RNA Council Stand, located adjacent
15120-479: Was extended in 1947. Despite the severe economic depression of the early 1930s, the Exhibition continued to attract its strong annual August attendance. More land was acquired, including a further 2 acres (0.81 ha) 23 perches (580 m) excised from Bowen Park in 1932, bringing the total Exhibition Grounds to about 40 acres (16 ha). Improvements to the grounds at this period included more cattle stalls along O'Connell Terrace (architect Richard Gailey Jnr) and
15246-402: Was intended to promote and showcase the agricultural, pastoral and industrial resources of the whole of Queensland. Whether it could be sustained beyond a single exhibition remained to be seen. The National Association did not wish to supplant regional agricultural societies and associations, but wished to encourage their organisation, and foster a spirit of friendly rivalry amongst them by holding
15372-553: Was opened. In 1963, on land acquired along Constance Street, a double pavilion known as the Agricultural Hall and Douglas Wadley Pavilion was constructed. The Agricultural Hall housed district and junior farmer exhibits. The Douglas Wadley Pavilion, extended in 1968 and again in 1977, housed dogs, and is used regularly for exhibitions in addition to the annual August show. In 1968 the Ring Control and Broadcast building
15498-535: Was originally utilised by the Indigenous Turrbal or Duke of York clan as a camp ground. They called this area Barrambin . During the early colonial period, the British named it York's Hollow . During the 1840s, up to 400 Turrbal people would reside around the waterholes at York's Hollow. In 1846, police constables dispersed this major campsite killing at least 3 people, while in 1849 British soldiers of
15624-440: Was purchased for £ 1500 and re-erected at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds. It was the largest building of its type in Queensland. Reflecting the growing popularity of the motor car, the pavilion was occupied by representatives of the local automobile trade. It was the first Brisbane Exhibition pavilion to be dedicated solely to motor vehicle displays, automobile exhibits previously being located on Machinery Hill. In 1919 Austral Hall
15750-438: Was renamed the John Reid Pavilion following the death that year of Brisbane merchant John Reid, a long-time supporter of the National Association. Affleck House was completed by August 1918 for the showtime use of Stock Breeders' Association delegates. It was named after National Association councillor WL Affleck, who raised the finance for the construction. During the influenza epidemic which swept Australia in 1919, following
15876-513: Was the site of a violent clash between visiting US military personnel and Australian servicemen and civilians, which resulted in one death and hundreds of injuries. This incident became known colloquially as the Battle of Brisbane . Post-war Brisbane had developed a big country town stigma, an image the city's politicians and marketers were very keen to remove. In the late 1950s, an anonymous poet known as The Brisbane Bard generated much attention to
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