Historic film showcases soil conservation triumphs

The Darling Downs will host a series of remembrance evenings to mark the 50^th anniversary of a film aimed at promoting soil conservation.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Kerry Shine and the film highlighted the long battle soil erosion and the success that has been achieved conserving soils.

The film, ‘Soil is your Future’, was made in 1956 by the then Department of Agriculture and Stock in conjunction with the Toowoomba Rotary Club.

Mr Shine said as Minister, Member for Toowoomba North and an avid reader of history, he congratulated the Australian Society of Soil Science and local Landcare groups for hosting the six screenings over the Darling Downs.

Queensland Secretary of the Australian Society of Soil Science Bruce Carey, who is also a senior officer at the Department of Natural Resources and Water, will present the film evenings.

“The evenings will also feature historical photographs and the significant gains made in the control of soil erosion in the area since the 1950s,” Mr Carey said.

“The film was made at a time when erosion had led to the abandonment of 16,000 hectares of cultivated land leaving almost every paddock on the Darling Downs under threat.”

“While significant progress had been made in controlling soil erosion, we must remain vigilant as droughts can sometimes allow people to become complacent about the problem.”

“Failed crops and heavily grazed pastures leave the land susceptible to serious erosion should the drought be broken by heavy rain.”

The remembrance evenings start at 7pm with a barbecue provided by the local Landcare groups and the Queensland Branch of the Australian Society of Soil Science.

Millmerran: Tuesday, 24 October – Anzac Room, Cultural Centre

Pittsworth: Wednesday, 25 October – Senior Citizens Rooms

Jandowae: Monday, 30 October – AccommodationPark (CaravanPark)

Jondaryan: Tuesday, 31 October – Jondaryan Woolshed

Toowoomba: Wednesday, 1 November – Highfields Tavern

Freestone: Wednesday, 8 November - Freestone Hall

Media contact:

·Kirby Anderson (Minister Shine’s office) 3896 3689 or kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au

·Kristen Webb (Department of Natural Resources and Water) 3405 6966