Buy Queensland creations for Christmas

Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle today urged Queensland shoppers to pack their Christmas stockings with gifts made in the Smart State.

“Queenslanders are a talented bunch, but we often aren’t aware of the great wealth of wares that are created right here in our own backyard,” Ms Boyle said.

“There are CDs, books, food, wine, designer furniture and fashion, and much more that have been made or grown in Queensland.

“I encourage everyone to put Queensland-made products at the top of their Christmas shopping lists this year.”

Ms Boyle said buying locally made products would inject a greater slice of the millions of shopping dollars spent over Christmas back into Queensland.

“The message is simple: fill your Christmas stockings with high-quality, locally made goods.”

The following list of Christmas gifts is drawn from companies and entrepreneurs the Queensland Government has helped.

Twelve gift ideas for the 12 days of Christmas:

• Fashion: Fashion by Juli Grbac, Gail Reid, George Wu and other emerging designers at Brisbane’s TCB. Also in Fortitude Valley – Brisbane’s fashion hub – stores Dogstar and Nelson Molloy
• Jewellery: Contemporary jewellery from Ari Athans in New Farm and the designer showcase gallery Artisan in Fortitude Valley. Visit TCB for Chelsea de Luca’s range of 1920-1940s inspired jewellery.
• Shoes: Men’s footwear by Chris McCallum’s label Vein Wear located at TCB
• Furniture: Innovative and modern furniture and furnishings from award-winning Queensland designers Brian Steendyk, Paul Morris and Alexander Lotersztain.
• Homewares: Brisbane-based Marc Harrison’s husque range crafted from recycled macadamia nut shells. Designer ceramics and textiles from Artisan.
• Contemporary book titles: Tiana Templeman’s Absolutely Faking It travel tale and Jason Nahrung’s supernatural thriller The Darkness Within.
• Children/young adult books: Karen Brooks’ It’s time, Cassandra Klein; Karen Foxlee’s Anatomy of Wings; Prue Mason’s Camel Rider; Bad Blood by Casey Lever; Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight by Rebecca Sparrow and Nick Earls.
For more good books visit www.queenslandbooks.com.au
• Music: CDs: Intercooler’s Forever Or Whatever; Regurgitator’s Love and Paranoia; I Heart Hiroshima’s Tuff Teef. Find out about more Queensland music at: www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound2007
• Sweets: Christmas sweets by Quality Desserts in the Darling Downs or fruit dessert sauces by Boozy Fruits. Belgian chocolate from Gold Coast’s Belgian Delights or preservative-free jams from the Exotic Jam Factory in Childers. In Brisbane, handmade fruit loaves from Avril's Tastebud Teasers and specialty cakes from Choice Desserts.
• Gourmet savoury: Soft cheese by Kingaroy Cheese, flavoured cheeses by Sunshine Coast’s Kenilworth Country Foods or traditional Dutch roast pork, cheese and ham products by Gold Coast’s Gotzinger Small Goods. In Brisbane, Suzanne Quintner Fine Foods’ Moroccan dips and sauces; haloumi, fetta and ricotta by Olympus Cheese; or Smokin’ Stu’s smoked relishes.
• Coffee: From Atherton Tablelands’ Skybury Estate or Brisbane’s Di Bella Coffee.
• Wine: Drops from award-winning regional wineries, including fruit wines, such as banana and mango. For a full list of Queensland wineries and their specialties, see www.dtftwid.qld.gov.au/wine.

Ends

Media contact: 3224 2007
17 December 2007