Meet our Ekka Icons
20 July 2026 {sub-heading}
We love championing all kinds of Queenslanders. That’s why we’re proud to be the presenting partner of Ekka this year as it celebrates 150 years of magic.
And what better way to do that, than introduce you to the people that make the event what it is today. These are our Ekka Icons.
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Tony Laffan: The Showman
Magician, clown, escape artist, illusionist – Tony Laffan is the sort of guy who seems to have lived 9 lives, all of them in the service of entertaining a crowd.
After dropping out of university to run away with the circus, Tony toured stages all over the world before finding his way back to Brisbane and spearheading a role running the show as Ekka’s Head of Education and Entertainment.
These days, he spends more time behind the curtain, creating opportunities for the next generation of Queensland performers. His story is proof that a bit of resilience and Queensland charm will take you places, but helping others find the stage might be the greatest trick of all.
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Shaunn Jannusch: The Bird Keeper
When it comes to breeding champion birds in Queensland, the name Jannusch is kind of a big deal.
Toowoomba-based Shaunn Jannusch is the third generation of his family to show prize-winning poultry and waterfowl at Ekka. Between his grandfather, father, uncles and brother, the family hasn’t missed a show in 50 years.
Shaunn’s name is on the honour board, and there’s a waitlist for his birds, but the real feather in his cap is that his own sons are embracing the Queensland spirit of having a crack and continuing the family tradition.
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The Katavics: The Very Crafty Family
The Katavics’ dining table is usually a bit of a mess, but that’s exactly how they like it.
The Mt Gravatt family of four has fielded more than 100 entries in the Ekka’s craft and cookery competitions since 2022, which means there’s always a craft project underway or a recipe waiting to be tested.
For parents Amber and Peter, preparing the entries with 11-year-old Rose and 12-year-old Henry isn’t really about blue ribbons – though they’ve won a few. It’s about sharing a creative streak, learning useful skills and making memories as a family.
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Matt Welsh: The Cattle Man
You might not have heard of Charbray cattle, but cattle farmer Matt Welsh is working on that.
At Huntington Charbray Stud near Taroom, about 450 km north-west of Brisbane, Matt is on a mission to prove the breed belongs in the mainstream Australian beef industry.
For Matt, Ekka isn’t really about ribbons. It’s a chance to put Charbray in front of breeders, buyers and the public – and show people what the breed can do.
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We are proud to be Ekka’s presenting partner for the second-year running, uniting 2 iconic Queensland institutions with a shared commitment to supporting regional communities and celebrating the best of the Sunshine State.