EKKA 2016

The biggest Agricultural show is drawing to a close but not before thousands have passed through its gates, ate strawberry sundaes and dagwood dogs, took away show bags, wandered through the now expanded grounds to the Art show, the cake decorating stalls, the dogs and cats on display, the cows, poultry and goats, the food stalls and the many, many fair ground rides.

I just love it there- there is a vibrancy and sunniness to it and the sense that everyone is having a good time. My role this year was to make floral crowns for most of the days but also to promote Community gardens around the greater Brisbane area. I enjoyed both enormously but it was instant results with the floral crowns - older more reluctant women smiling broadly as these vibrant and stunning floral crowns were put on their head. Children loving the look of real flowers and being able to pick and chose them.  I was working as a volunteer for the Floristry school of Queensland and you can understand why becoming a florist has so many advantages and job satisfaction.www.theflowerschool.com.au

Just down from where I worked was a Scarecrow competition - and here are some of the really wonderful ones that the school children put together. No show would be complete without the produce of Queensland - the fruit and vegetables and some of the marvellous animals. So here are some of the pictures I took which give just a small flavour of this grand event in the Queensland calendar. I love the fact that the baby animals in the nursery, which is where children are allowed to go in and pet them - were all taking a well earned siesta.No different from real babies! 

 Notice the plastic disposal spoons with glitter, the giant safety pin and the discarded venetian blinds making her skirt.

 Scarecrows with disabilities also featured.

 Made almost exclusively with plastic bags and crushed tins.

 Another very good example with empty Nespresso capsules forming her belt and tomato ketchup bottles forming her arms.