Published Friday, 06 June, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
QLD’s 150 CELEBRATIONS A YEAR TODAY – BUT PARTY PLANNING’S BEGUN
Twelve months today Queensland will be celebrating its 150th anniversary of independence from New South Wales. To mark this Premier Anna Bligh today announced $1.2 million of second round funding for a program already breathing life into next year’s celebrations.
Ms Bligh said response to the Community Funding Program’s second round was outstanding and reflected strong interest in events, arts and education as well as historic records.
“Of all the 141 successful applicants for Community Funding in round two, 27 were for events or elements of events,” Ms Bligh said.
“That sounds like a clear ‘Let’s Celebrate’ message to me from Queensland communities.
“It’s great to see a real sense of pride and community start to resonate around the State for next year’s celebrations.
“In round two we have seen a whole range of event projects come through including celebration concerts on the Gold Coast and at Taringa, a community festival at Gin Gin, a Heritage Fun Day at Mundubbera. Even the 2009 Waitangi Day Festival at Capalaba will have a celebratory Queensland flavour.
“Cooktown has gone for its own proclamation re-enactment while Labrador State School Parent and Citizens Association will celebrate the history and diversity of the Gold Coast culminating with the Labrador Multicultural Festival.
“For the petrol heads there’s even a Hot Rod Run event at Millmerran by Rods Hot Rod Club from Loganholme.
“We wanted grass-roots community participation to make 2009 a year all Queenslanders have the opportunity to celebrate, and that’s what we’re getting.”
“From the applications so far it’s easy to see Queenslanders are coming up with a whole gamut of ways they want to commemorate 2009, from the fun to the serious.
“It’s personal to the communities of Queensland, just as it should be. After all a birthday like this one only comes around once in a lifetime.”
Ms Bligh said the of the second round of funding meant Queenslanders now had more than 180 Community Funding projects and events to commemorate or participate in next year, leave alone other events in the pipeline.
“The communities of Queensland have risen to the challenge and come up with a fantastic response,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing the communities’ buy-in shine even brighter when it comes time to announce the successful recipients of the third and final round of Community Funding later this year.
“Let’s celebrate. We are 150 years young and we have plenty to cheer about - our icons, our lifestyle, our achievements and what makes us who we are.”
The third and final round of community funding begins on 1 July and closes on 5 September 2008.
All communities – local councils, schools, tertiary institutions (including TAFE) incorporated organisations and community groups – are eligible to apply for community funding.
In 2007 the government committed $4 million to three rounds of Community Funding for grants between $2000 and $10,000 to community groups, non-profit organisations and local councils who have plans to arrange commemorative events or projects for the state in 2009.
Details on the grants program are available from the Queensland’s 150th Celebrations website – www.q150.qld.gov.au
For entire list of Community Funding recipients in your region: Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500 or go to www.q150.qld.gov.au, media room.
Ms Bligh said response to the Community Funding Program’s second round was outstanding and reflected strong interest in events, arts and education as well as historic records.
“Of all the 141 successful applicants for Community Funding in round two, 27 were for events or elements of events,” Ms Bligh said.
“That sounds like a clear ‘Let’s Celebrate’ message to me from Queensland communities.
“It’s great to see a real sense of pride and community start to resonate around the State for next year’s celebrations.
“In round two we have seen a whole range of event projects come through including celebration concerts on the Gold Coast and at Taringa, a community festival at Gin Gin, a Heritage Fun Day at Mundubbera. Even the 2009 Waitangi Day Festival at Capalaba will have a celebratory Queensland flavour.
“Cooktown has gone for its own proclamation re-enactment while Labrador State School Parent and Citizens Association will celebrate the history and diversity of the Gold Coast culminating with the Labrador Multicultural Festival.
“For the petrol heads there’s even a Hot Rod Run event at Millmerran by Rods Hot Rod Club from Loganholme.
“We wanted grass-roots community participation to make 2009 a year all Queenslanders have the opportunity to celebrate, and that’s what we’re getting.”
“From the applications so far it’s easy to see Queenslanders are coming up with a whole gamut of ways they want to commemorate 2009, from the fun to the serious.
“It’s personal to the communities of Queensland, just as it should be. After all a birthday like this one only comes around once in a lifetime.”
Ms Bligh said the of the second round of funding meant Queenslanders now had more than 180 Community Funding projects and events to commemorate or participate in next year, leave alone other events in the pipeline.
“The communities of Queensland have risen to the challenge and come up with a fantastic response,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing the communities’ buy-in shine even brighter when it comes time to announce the successful recipients of the third and final round of Community Funding later this year.
“Let’s celebrate. We are 150 years young and we have plenty to cheer about - our icons, our lifestyle, our achievements and what makes us who we are.”
The third and final round of community funding begins on 1 July and closes on 5 September 2008.
All communities – local councils, schools, tertiary institutions (including TAFE) incorporated organisations and community groups – are eligible to apply for community funding.
In 2007 the government committed $4 million to three rounds of Community Funding for grants between $2000 and $10,000 to community groups, non-profit organisations and local councils who have plans to arrange commemorative events or projects for the state in 2009.
Details on the grants program are available from the Queensland’s 150th Celebrations website – www.q150.qld.gov.au
For entire list of Community Funding recipients in your region: Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500 or go to www.q150.qld.gov.au, media room.