Brisbane Exhibition Ground

Brisbane Exhibition Ground
Ekka
Former names RNA Showgrounds
Ekka Grounds
Location Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland
Coordinates 27°27′0″S 153°1′58″E / 27.45000°S 153.03278°E / -27.45000; 153.03278Coordinates: 27°27′0″S 153°1′58″E / 27.45000°S 153.03278°E / -27.45000; 153.03278
Owner The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland
Operator The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland
Capacity 25,490
Construction
Broke ground 1880
Opened 1886
Tenants
Brisbane Bandits (ABL) (1990–1994)
Brisbane Bandits (ABL) (2010–present)
Ground information
International information
First Test 30 November – 5 December 1928: Australia v England
Last Test 16–20 January 1931: Australia v West Indies
As of 9 January 2015
Source: ESPNcricinfo

The Brisbane Exhibition Ground (also known as the RNA Showgrounds and the Ekka Grounds), is a heritage-listed showground established in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia during 1875 especially for Ekka (formally titled the Royal Queensland Show). The Exhibition ground is owned and operated by The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland. The Ekka is a show held at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground over two weeks in August each year. Because the Ekka is only held over a two-week period each year, other displays and exhibitions are held at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground during the remainder of the year.

History

The site of the Exhibition ground was originally inhabited by the indigenous 'Turrbal' or 'Duke of York clan' who used the area as a campground. The original European name was "York's Hollow".[1]

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 1954. It was Queen Elizabeth's first visit to Australia as Queen.

Use as a sportsground

Sport has also been a major feature at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, but is now only home to the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League. Sports played at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground have included:

Unlike many purpose built baseball diamonds, the Showgrounds, much like Coopers Stadium is an oval, allowing for deep foul territory. To counter this foul territory, the field has lines of demarcation that prevent many would-be foul balls from being caught.

Heritage listing

The showgrounds were listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 2003.[3]

See also

References

  1. Tom Petrie's Reminiscences of Early Queensland. St Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press. 1992. p. 35. ISBN 0702223832.
  2. "Exhibition Ground: Test Matches". ESPN Cricinfo. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  3. "Brisbane Exhibition Grounds (entry 601709)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.

External sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brisbane Exhibition Grounds.
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