Barcaldine named Blueprint for the Bush Community of the Year

The central Queensland community of Barcaldine has been named the Blueprint for the Bush Community of the Year, Main Roads and Local Government Minister Warren Pitt announced in Rockhampton tonight.

Mr Pitt presented Barcaldine Shire Mayor Rob Chandler with the award and praised the high quality of nominations received in the Community of the Year Award, one of five categories in the annual Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

“Nominations came from communities that are supporting youth through vocational programs, setting up transport schemes for disadvantaged community members and even running festivals that bring community members together,” he said.

“Barcaldine and all the other nominated communities have shown that many rural communities are taking positive steps towards building and sustaining a viable future.”

Mr Pitt said Barcaldine’s nomination was outstanding and showed the positive outcomes of the community’s collaborative efforts, which include new tourism ventures to revitalise its economy.

He said another outstanding nominee – the Glendyne Education and Training Centre at Hervey Bay – received the Minister’s Special Commendation Award for its service to the local community for more than 10 years.

“The Special Commendation Award is drawn from all award category winners, and highlights an outstanding contribution towards the economic, commercial or environmental prosperity of a regional area,” Mr Pitt said.

“Glendyne Education and Training Centre is a well-deserved winner of the award as it has acted as a community within a community, servicing the needs of youth by developing life skills, increasing self-control and enhancing self-esteem.

“I congratulate both the Barcaldine and Glendyne Education and Training Centre communities in helping to build stronger communities across Queensland – indeed, that’s what these awards are all about.”

The Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards aim to encourage, acknowledge and reward the achievements of individuals and communities in remote and regional areas of Queensland.

“The awards attracted 40 nominations from communities across the state, which demonstrates that many rural communities are not merely just surviving, they are thriving,” Mr Pitt said.

There were five award categories for Queensland this year:
• Business Enterprise Award
• Events and Tourism Award
• Regional Service Award
• Environmental and Landcare Award
• Community of the Year Award.

The awards were presented by the Department of Main Roads and Southern Cross Ten, with support from Queensland Country Life and the Commonwealth Bank.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819