annual report 2007 where City meets Country - the RNA

The Main EventEkkA! 2007 CONTINUEDWorthy causesEvery year the RNA selects three charities and providesthem with EkkA tickets and opportunities to raise funds.This year the RNA was proud to welcome members of theBrisbane Tram and Bus Special Children’s Association; theQueensland Police Legacy Scheme; and the Make-A-WishFoundation. The RNA was also proud to continue its workwith the Royal Children’s Hospital in 2007. On 8 August, aspecial event was hosted for patients and their families at thenew Animal Boulevard so they could enjoy the fun of theShow, prior to the gates opening for EkkA 2007. Thanks tothe many sponsors and exhibitors for dedicating their timeand produce to this extra special event.exhibitors exposing over 600 students to ruralindustry employment prospects and pathways. In2008, the Expo will have a new name, The RNACareer and Training Expo, to better reflect theRNA’s commitment to the education and ruralindustries sectors.The EkkA Rural Trail was a successful educationinitiative for 2007, and will be expanded in 2008 withthe introduction of a ‘Teachers Guide to the EkkA’. TheGuide will be developed in conjunction with teachersand form part of their planning process for the year ahead.More effective e-communication through the EducationQueensland network will be adopted in 2008, combinedVisitors to EkkA 2007 helped Coca-Cola Amatil raise$20,000 for Queensland farmers by recycling plasticbottles and writing messages of hope for farmers affectedby drought. The money raised will be used to continuethe Salvation Army’s support services in keeping ruralQueensland households together. The ‘Message in a Bottle’competition winner was 11 year old Bridget Greathead whowrote this poem…Be hopeful farmers that the drought will end,One day be sure the rain will descend.We’ll all pray for rain because it’s on you we rely,For our drinks, foods and maybe my dad’s tie.EkkA EducationLearning in a fun environment is always the focus of theannual EkkA. It’s an opportunity for city children to learnabout our rural industries and provides a great opportunityfor country children to come together socially. EkkA 2007had many educational aspects including:The Youth Rural Career and Training Expo was heldon the Main Arena on Tuesday 7 August 2007 for the firsttime. The Expo featured 20 educational and agriculturalwith selective mail outs and direction to the EkkA website.An ‘EkkA Education Kit’ will also be developed in 2008 toassist schools, students and parents to get more from theirEkkA visit and more information about the RNA generally.This is seen as a vitally important aspect of increasing familyinvolvement in the EkkA with a non-commercial focus.Showcamp provides the opportunity for Queensland’sbest English students to travel to the RNA Showgroundsfor a ten day writing camp. The students produce an EkkAnewspaper daily with stories and gossip from around theRNA Showgrounds. In 2008, Showcamp will celebrate its80th Anniversary.Education on Show is an official EkkA competition opento primary and secondary school students throughoutQueensland. In 2007 the central content theme of LifeSavers allowed the students to showcase their artisticexpression in a range of formats. The thematic approachallows teachers to make the event part of planned contentrather than just a competition.In close consultation with Education Queensland advisors,the 2008 competition schedule has been reworked to alignit as closely as possible with the current work program