A long time ago, a newspaper (probably The Courier-Mail; possibly The Telegraph) ran a photograph of two little girls at the Ekka.
Those girls were my sisters, and the picture was taken a few years before I was born, but it was kept in an album and often dragged out on family occasions.
When I was a child, the RNA Exhibition was central to my life. Each year we approached it with great anticipation — for the rides, sideshow attractions, dagwood dogs, Tasmanian chips, strawberry ice-creams and, of course, the showbags.
Back then, they were still “sample bags”, which companies would use as a showcase, and at least one of them would include a Phantom comic. It was a long time before I realised you could actually buy Phantom comics elsewhere at other times during the year (unlike Bertie Beetles, which became a show-only treat sometime in the 1970s).
In Grade Seven, we went as a school group and my teacher, the indomitable Mrs Francis, introduced me to the poet Judith Wright, who we met a conservation display. I wish I’d been a little older and wiser to appreciate that moment more.
It took a few years before I could go to the Ekka on my own — with friends but without an adult. Doing that was (perhaps still is) a rite of passage.
Before too long, I was still going to the Ekka, but my attention had strayed from the attractions of the showring — the Holden Precision Driving team, the harness races, the sheep dog trials and, one year, a man with a James Bond/NASA-style jet pack — to the wonders of the Cattlemen’s Bar.
So, yeah, the Ekka and I go way back. But, as it rolls around again (starting August 9), I feel a little guilty in admitting that I have not been for many, many years.
It used to be a must-do event, but now I’m ambivalent about it. Is it because I’ve grown up or is it because I fear that it won’t be what it used to be?
Are some things left best remembered rather than experienced again?* Or should I give it another go?
Breakfast from afar
Monday 10am update: Christian O’Connell has confirmed his Breakfast show is going national. How it will be heard in Brisbane — on DAB+ and online only or on a rebranded KIIS — is not clear.
2.30pm update: ARN is saying Gold will be on DAB+ in Brisbane, keeping the door open for a networked Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS.
Confirmation that the Christian O’Connell Breakfast show will be networked from Melbourne to Sydney has opened up further discussion about the Brisbane radio market.
Some commentary revolves around an idea I first floated here: that KIIS 973 in Brisbane become a Gold station so that, if networking is inevitable, it will run the O’Connell show rather than the divisive Kyle and Jackie O Show.
There are a few good reasons for this, including the fact that O’Connell is more “family friendly” and that the Gold music format would work better in Brisbane against B105, Triple M and Nova.
There are, of course, arguments to bring former Brisbanite Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson into this market (despite how poorly they are doing in Melbourne).
From an audience perspective, there’s also a very strong case for no change at all — but that ain’t gonna happen at KIIS or, eventually, other stations. If you doubt that, delve into the history of local television…
P.S. Friend of Mister Brisbane, James Cridland makes a great argument for KIIS becoming Gold here in his latest Radioland newsletter.
Mister Brisbane is free to read, but if you appreciate what I’m doing here, and/or
at The Wrinkle and Radio Bert, you can buy me a coffee.
No $+*!, Sherlock
I’m a little late to the “party” on this one, but I have to say that I’m outraged about reports that up to 10 megalitres of raw sewage is being discharged into the Brisbane River per month.
There is no excuse for our treatment facilities to be overwhelmed. The acceptable level of raw sewage in our rivers and oceans is zero.
Fran-tastic
I’m glad to see that my former colleague, Frances Whiting, is joining the fight to keep Queensland beaches free and open to all. (You can read my thoughts on the matter here).
While I’m patting people on the back, I’ll also mention that I’ve long been critical of government spending on self-promotion. Sadly, that has now become a serious issue.
This past week, it’s been revealed that the State Government spent more on plugging their Health plans (and kicking the previous government in the process) than on encouraging people to get flu vaccinations. This has led to dangerously low vaccination rates and high hospital admission rates — with the worst of the flu season almost certainly yet to come.
Sure, our hospitals will be crowded, and some people may die, but we’ll all know what a great job our politicians are doing!
Oh, and on a related issue, I’ve received yet another flyer in my letterbox telling me about the council budget and how good the Lord Mayor is. It follows hot on the heels of a missive from my local councillor. I think they are just taking the p-ss now.
P.S.
I didn’t watch the Logies, for the same reason I don’t go to other industry awards nights — they are long, overly indulgent and boring, even for people with skin in the game — but congratulations to all the winners anyway.
*This is one for the people who read to the end: yes, I do realise that this logic could equally apply to the Warana parade — except that I’m not saying children and families shouldn’t go to the Ekka (or enjoy a parade), I’m just saying that it may not be for Gen X or Boomers.
Raw sewage being released into the Brisbane River? That is incomprehensible and unforgivable! I regularly see people fishing off the pier at Bulimba. I hope they like their fish full of toxic bacteria. 😱 A real tourist drawcard too. Well done local and state governments. Your Liberal Party priorities are right on target. You never disappoint.