Our History &
Our Community
A Community Hub Built on History and Connection
The land now incorporating Brookfield Showgrounds was initially gazetted as a Reserve in 1872. Set at the junction of Brookfield, Upper Brookfield and Gold Creek Roads, it remains a central gathering place for local events, traditions and shared experiences.
Supporting Local Groups, Events and Everyday Experiences
Today, the Showgrounds are home to a vibrant mix of community groups, organisations and local businesses. From everyday use to major events, the Showgrounds supports a wide range of activities that keep the space active and welcoming.
Who is the Trust and What is Their Role
Established in 1921, when the current Showground boundaries were determined, the Brookfield Recreation Reserve Trust manages and protects the Showgrounds on behalf of the community.
Led by elected volunteer Trustees with State Government oversight, the Trust has guided its care and evolution – preserving its history while ensuring it continues to serve the community by providing a venue capable of supporting sport, recreation and community events; now and into the future.
Brookfield Showgrounds
The Brookfield Showground precinct sits within the valleys surrounding Moggill Creek and Gold Creek, an area that formed part of a long-established cultural landscape used by First Nations communities prior to European settlement.
Over more than 150 years, the Brookfield Showground has evolved from a simple rural reserve into an enduring community precinct shaped by local residents, sporting clubs, agricultural organisations and generations of district families.
1868-1879 Early Settlement and Community Foundations
European settlement expanded through Brookfield and the foundations of the district’s shared community life began to emerge.
As farming families gradually settled the Brookfield district from the late 1860s, community life quickly centred around shared spaces, churches, schools and public reserves.
- 1868 – Farming activity and European settlement expanded through the district as farming properties were established across the surrounding valleys.
- 1871 – The first Brookfield Hall was constructed by the Bible Christians on the corner of Rafting Ground Road and Brookfield Road. The modest timber building served as a school during the week, a meeting place for local residents and a church on Sundays.
- 1872 – Land at the junction of Moggill Creek and Gold Creek was reserved for recreation, schooling and cemetery purposes, establishing the beginnings of the public reserve that still exists today.
- 1874 – Brookfield State School opened with its own school building and headmaster’s residence.
- 1875 – The Recreation Reserve became home to the Brookfield Cricket Club, regarded as one of Queensland’s oldest cricket clubs.
These early facilities reflected the realities of life in a small rural district, where buildings often served many purposes and community effort was essential to daily life.
1885-1887 Public Hall and Community Infrastructure
The Reserve became firmly established as the social and civic centre of the Brookfield district.
As Brookfield’s rural population grew, so did the need for permanent public facilities and gathering spaces.
- 1885 – A dedicated Reserve for Public Hall was proclaimed, with one acre set aside within the Reserve precinct.
- 1885 – The original 1871 Hall was relocated across Moggill Creek to the new Reserve site, becoming the first public Brookfield Hall.
- 1885–86 – The Bible Christians constructed a new church on the corner of Rafting Ground Road and Upper Brookfield Road, a building that remains in use today.
The Reserve increasingly became an important location for meetings, concerts, celebrations and district gatherings.
1890s Agricultural Promotion and Community Gatherings
The Reserve developed as a centre for public celebrations, agricultural promotion and community recreation.
By the 1890s, the Reserve had become closely connected to everyday district life.
- 1892 – The Brookfield Recreation Reserve was reduced to approximately 15 acres following road adjustments and placed under the jurisdiction of the Lands Department.
- 1893 – Arbor Day celebrations brought together local school children and families for picnics, maypole dancing, sporting competitions, concerts and evening dances.
- 1895 – Queensland Mounted Infantry activities, parades, bonfires and concerts were held at the reserve prior to the Boer War.
The Reserve became an important location for social, agricultural and community events across the district.
1908-1920 Gazetting of the Reserve and the Early Brookfield Shows
The Brookfield Show tradition began and the Reserve was formally recognised as a recreation and showground reserve.
The early twentieth century saw Brookfield’s agricultural community become increasingly organised through local associations and public events.
- 1908 – Formation of the Brookfield, Pullen Vale and Moggill Farmers’, Dairymen and Fruitgrowers Association to support the district’s farming community.
- 1910 – The first Brookfield Show was held as a one-day event showcasing produce, livestock, horsemanship and rural skills.
- 1911 – The Brookfield Reserve for Recreation and Showground was formally established under the Land Act 1910 and proclaimed by gazette.
- 1911 – The second Brookfield Show expanded into a two-day event.
- 1916–1920 – Shows continued during most of the World War I period, except in 1919 during the influenza epidemic.
These early Shows helped establish traditions that still form part of Brookfield community life today.
1920s-1930s Formation of the modern Reserve and Trust
The modern reserve structure and long-term community management framework were established.
The interwar years saw the reserve evolve into a more formally managed public precinct.
- 1921 – The separate reserves were amalgamated into the Reserve for Showground, Recreation and Public Hall, forming the basis of the present-day showgrounds.
- 1921 – The Brookfield Recreation Reserve Trust was established with elected community Trustees overseeing management of the Reserve.
- 1920s – Sports meetings featuring horse racing and novelty events became popular district gatherings.
- 1925 – The Brookfield Show was held as a fete and became the last “Show” for many years.
- 1932 – Trustees acquired the “Victory Hall,” originally built in Darra in 1917. The building was dismantled, transported by truck and jinker, and reconstructed on the reserve by local tradesmen.
- 1933 – The former Brookfield school headmaster’s residence was relocated to the reserve and adapted as the Brookfield General Store.
This period reflected a practical approach to preserving and reusing important district buildings.
1940s-1950s Revival of the Show and Community Organisations
The Reserve experienced post-war renewal and the revival of major community organisations.
Following World War Two, the Reserve again became a centre for sporting events, horse activities and community gatherings.
- 1940s – The original 1871 hall was demolished, although part of the structure was retained and incorporated into a new hall annexe known locally as the Supper Room or Euchre Room.
Members of the Brookfield Farmers Association continued organising sports meetings, horse events, picnic races and fetes. - 1956 – The modern Brookfield Show Society was formally established and revived the Brookfield Show as an ongoing annual event.
- 1957 – The Brookfield Horse and Pony Club was established, replacing the earlier Tuesday Afternoon Riding School.
- 1958 – The Brookfield Rugby League team became premiers.
The revived Brookfield Show gradually developed into an enduring community agricultural show for western Brisbane.
1960s-1990s Expansion and Modernisation
The Reserve expanded into a major multi-purpose community precinct supporting recreation, agriculture and local events.
The second half of the twentieth century saw extensive community-led development across the grounds.
- 1963 – The first Brookfield rodeo was held, beginning a long-running local tradition.
- 1966 – A Bushman’s Carnival was conducted in conjunction with Brisbane’s Warana Festival.
- 1970s–1980s – Major upgrades included horse stalls, lighting, pavilions, broadcasting facilities, poultry sheds and a new Pony Club House.
- 1980 – The Brookfield Show expanded into a three-day event with the addition of Friday “District Day.”
- 1983 – Discussions commenced for establishment of a Brookfield Bush Fire Brigade headquarters adjacent to the Reserve.
- 1985 – The Brookfield Show Society became formally incorporated.
- 1988 – The Brookfield Horse and Pony Club became formally incorporated.
- 1990s – Further facilities were added including cookery and cultural activity pavilions, cricket facilities and a dedicated members bar.
Many of these improvements were supported through community fundraising and local involvement.
2000s-TODAY Restoration, Heritage Recognition and Continuing Community Life
The Reserve entered a major period of restoration and heritage recognition while continuing to serve as an active community hub.
Significant restoration and development works since 2000 have included:
- refurbishment of the Brookfield Hall and General Store,
- establishment of the Trustees Room and Horticultural Pavilion,
- creation of the Brookfield Museum using the former Pullenvale Post Office,
- refurbishment of the Long Yard,
- reconstruction of retaining walls and sandstone terraces,
landscaping works,
and restoration painting across the showground precinct.
Additional milestones include:
- 2004 – Brookfield Public Hall and Showgrounds listed as a Local Heritage Place.
- 2012 – Commencement of the annual Shell Green T20 match involving Brookfield United Cricket Club and the Australian Defence Force.
- 2014 – Launch of the Brookfield Long Lunch fundraising initiative supporting restoration and development projects.
- 2020 – Brookfield Show cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, the first cancellation since the post-1950s revival era.
- 2021 – Centenary of the Brookfield Recreation Reserve Trust.
Today the showgrounds remain home to the Brookfield Show Society, Brookfield United Cricket Club and the Brookfield Horse and Pony Club, continuing a long tradition of community participation, recreation and agricultural life in the Brookfield district.