Ekka over for another year

Wherever I go it is important for me to grasp the history of the city as much as the places and the people who inhabit it. EKKA, one of the country's biggest agricultural shows, is so much a part of erstwhile Brisbane but is also a celebration of all that is wonderful about current Brisbane. It used to be a bit of a country town where people would gather once a year to bring their best stock, their best produce and to put on their suits and frocks for a day out. Now of course it is a lot more than that, there  are monster truck parades, fireworks, horse and dog shows, beef and poultry and wood chopping, a whole pavilion of food and cooking, wines and spirits, fashion and flair.

I volunteered for the Garden Platform and this also promoted regional harvest. There were some passionate women there who brought farmers and growers from the region to talk about the beauty of local produce, be it goats cheese, fresh milk, or organic vegetables. 

We had demonstrations for flower arranging, cooking, sampling of produce, talks about soil and garden care, looking after chickens and even a fashion show of Horti couture. There is no end to human imagination and endeavour. What fun it was. 

Some of the exhibits for biggest pumpkin.

 The top was made out of macadamia nut shells -

 This dress was made with shredded old telephone directories

 A bouquet .. er behind

 A little garden nymph

A dress made of artificial flowers all sewn together. 

 Origami paper circles make the flowers on this dress and the headress was from recycled material

The winning entry - a gorgeous dress made of lotus leaves.