The Mount Gravatt Showgrounds have been around since 1918. From then on it has become a community hot spot for families, locals and people all over Brisbane.
Despite today being a popular attraction, the history of the showgrounds saw a fair bit of disruption in the past. Throughout World War II, like many businesses, the showgrounds closed for business. After reopening and functioning for many years, the 1970’s saw the Brisbane City Council attempt to sell the land for retail development.
Photo Credit: Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Trust
After a long, hard decade of community-led court action, the people of Mount Gravatt won the rights for the space to be used as a showground, park and recreational space once again and has continued to do so, ever since.
Over the years, the showgrounds have created a sense of lifestyle in this outer-city suburb. Not only have they provided recreational space for locals to enjoy, but have also hosted many events and festivals which have brought the community together.
Photo Credit: Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Trust
Guy Mcentrye, CEO of the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Trust, has lived in Mount Gravatt for 41 years and has seen a significant change in the area over that time.
“In regards to housing, there’s significantly more units and split-a-blocks that have been built in the area. As a consequence, people don’t have the yard space that I enjoyed when I was growing up.”
Throughout his time as CEO of the trust, Mr Mcentyre and the team have wanted to make the Mount Gravatt showgrounds a gathering space for those who do not have a yard at home.
“What we aim to do is have the space as a focal point for the community, both for events and also as a green space,” he says.
“We’ve focused on ensuring that there are a multitude of events here. Everything from 4WD clubs, the Marketta, Sunday markets, festivals, fashion markets and of course the Mount Gravatt Show. We also want to ensure the space provides the community a place for families to bring the kids down, kick the footy on the oval and take the dogs for a walk.”
Photo Credit: Mount Gravatt Showgrounds
The showgrounds have provided locals and the greater community a unique space at the heart of the suburb ever since it began in 1918. What will happen in the years to come? With the ongoing support of the community, it’s expected that the showgrounds will only continue to grow and provide the same joy as they do today.
