Published Monday, 04 August, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
COUNTDOWN TO QUEENSLAND’S 150th CELEBRATIONS 2009 BEGINS
ROMA STREET STATION – Platform 3: Premier Anna Bligh arrived at historic Roma Street Station today aboard the Q150 steam train to announce the start of the 150-day countdown to Queensland’s 2009 sesquicentenary celebrations.
The Premier said the Q150 Train and the corrugated iron Q150 Shed would spread celebratory cheer and goodwill around Queensland in 2009 - Queensland’s 150th anniversary year of separation from New South Wales.
“Queenslanders have 150 sleeps to go before celebrating - our people, our places and our stories - all year long,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is a party for all Queenslanders. Everyone’s invited, and we have gone to great lengths to make sure that the celebratory spirit is shared throughout Queensland.
“The Q150 Train and Q150 Shed will travel to as many places as possible in Queensland in 2009, converging on Queensland Day 6 June 2009 at Mount Isa.
“In these climate change conscious times, it’s important to note that the carbon emissions of the train’s journey will be offset by planting 150 trees at each stop - as well as investment in green energy.
“I’m delighted Queensland Rail, the enthusiastic team of rail volunteers who will run the steam train and Major Brisbane Festivals are working closely with the Queensland’s 150th Celebrations unit to deliver these exciting catalysts for community celebrations in 2009.
“Communities, organisations and individuals that have an event celebrating or commemorating Queensland’s 150th anniversary have the opportunity to become an official Q150 Partner and upload their Q150 community events for free on www.q150.qld.gov.au.
“The success of next year’s Q150 activities will be the result of the combined effort of communities around Queensland, my Government and a growing band of big ticket sponsors.
"To date sponsors include Bank of Queensland, Santos Ltd, Fourex, Coca-Cola Amatil, Network 10 and Southern Cross Broadcasting, APN News and Media, Quest Community Newspapers, and Macquarie Media.
“We look forward to working with our partners as together we bring Queensland a year to remember when Queenslanders will have the opportunity to celebrate achievements, take stock and look to the future.”
The Premier said that The Train and The Shed were two key elements of next year’s Q150 celebratory calendar.
“Part of Q150 Train program gives students, while holding the Train’s staff - the physical authority symbol allowing it to progress to next section – the right to welcome the train and pass a Q150 message on to the next town.
“It’s like a baton relay around the State with our youth given a special place in the celebrations to tell their stories and aspirations.
“More of the Q150 program will be revealed in the weeks and months ahead, including encouraging participation in digital stories and the call for communities to participate in identifying and celebrating Queensland icons.”
“It will be finalised by Proclamation Day December 10,” she said.
Professor Peter Coaldrake, executive chair of the Q150 Celebrations Advisory Committee, said the train stops would coincide with community activities such as Big BBQs that communities can stage with the help of Q150 Community Funding.
“Today is the culmination of much behind the scenes activity and signals the start of an exciting celebratory program for next year, one that quite literally links people, places and stories” said Professor Coaldrake.
“Each community the train travels to will pass on a Q150 message of celebration and goodwill to the next community on the journey while the Q150 shed will showcase travelling and local entertainment,” he said.
Lyndon Terracini, Chief Executive, of Major Brisbane Festivals said there would be two Q150 shed tours of regional Queensland, the first beginning in June and the second in November 2009.
“I think the Q150 Shed is a fantastically exciting initiative and everyone who is travelling with the shed is extremely excited about it,” he said.
“It’s really about combining one of the great Australian icons, the shearing shed, with the great Spiegeltent of the Brisbane Festival which has fantastic performers.
“Obviously we would like to play in some of the big centres like Cairns and Townsville but we would also like to play in some of the iconic towns like Mount Isa and places like Augathella.”
He said he was about to visit as many towns as he could to find the best talent in regional Queensland to perform in the Q150 shed alongside travelling acts such as performances by urban young dance company Raw Dance.
Visit www.q150.qld.gov.au to find out more about Queensland’s 150th Celebrations calendar of events for 2009 and how to apply for the Q150 Community Funding Program which closes 5 September 2008.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
The Premier said the Q150 Train and the corrugated iron Q150 Shed would spread celebratory cheer and goodwill around Queensland in 2009 - Queensland’s 150th anniversary year of separation from New South Wales.
“Queenslanders have 150 sleeps to go before celebrating - our people, our places and our stories - all year long,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is a party for all Queenslanders. Everyone’s invited, and we have gone to great lengths to make sure that the celebratory spirit is shared throughout Queensland.
“The Q150 Train and Q150 Shed will travel to as many places as possible in Queensland in 2009, converging on Queensland Day 6 June 2009 at Mount Isa.
“In these climate change conscious times, it’s important to note that the carbon emissions of the train’s journey will be offset by planting 150 trees at each stop - as well as investment in green energy.
“I’m delighted Queensland Rail, the enthusiastic team of rail volunteers who will run the steam train and Major Brisbane Festivals are working closely with the Queensland’s 150th Celebrations unit to deliver these exciting catalysts for community celebrations in 2009.
“Communities, organisations and individuals that have an event celebrating or commemorating Queensland’s 150th anniversary have the opportunity to become an official Q150 Partner and upload their Q150 community events for free on www.q150.qld.gov.au.
“The success of next year’s Q150 activities will be the result of the combined effort of communities around Queensland, my Government and a growing band of big ticket sponsors.
"To date sponsors include Bank of Queensland, Santos Ltd, Fourex, Coca-Cola Amatil, Network 10 and Southern Cross Broadcasting, APN News and Media, Quest Community Newspapers, and Macquarie Media.
“We look forward to working with our partners as together we bring Queensland a year to remember when Queenslanders will have the opportunity to celebrate achievements, take stock and look to the future.”
The Premier said that The Train and The Shed were two key elements of next year’s Q150 celebratory calendar.
“Part of Q150 Train program gives students, while holding the Train’s staff - the physical authority symbol allowing it to progress to next section – the right to welcome the train and pass a Q150 message on to the next town.
“It’s like a baton relay around the State with our youth given a special place in the celebrations to tell their stories and aspirations.
“More of the Q150 program will be revealed in the weeks and months ahead, including encouraging participation in digital stories and the call for communities to participate in identifying and celebrating Queensland icons.”
“It will be finalised by Proclamation Day December 10,” she said.
Professor Peter Coaldrake, executive chair of the Q150 Celebrations Advisory Committee, said the train stops would coincide with community activities such as Big BBQs that communities can stage with the help of Q150 Community Funding.
“Today is the culmination of much behind the scenes activity and signals the start of an exciting celebratory program for next year, one that quite literally links people, places and stories” said Professor Coaldrake.
“Each community the train travels to will pass on a Q150 message of celebration and goodwill to the next community on the journey while the Q150 shed will showcase travelling and local entertainment,” he said.
Lyndon Terracini, Chief Executive, of Major Brisbane Festivals said there would be two Q150 shed tours of regional Queensland, the first beginning in June and the second in November 2009.
“I think the Q150 Shed is a fantastically exciting initiative and everyone who is travelling with the shed is extremely excited about it,” he said.
“It’s really about combining one of the great Australian icons, the shearing shed, with the great Spiegeltent of the Brisbane Festival which has fantastic performers.
“Obviously we would like to play in some of the big centres like Cairns and Townsville but we would also like to play in some of the iconic towns like Mount Isa and places like Augathella.”
He said he was about to visit as many towns as he could to find the best talent in regional Queensland to perform in the Q150 shed alongside travelling acts such as performances by urban young dance company Raw Dance.
Visit www.q150.qld.gov.au to find out more about Queensland’s 150th Celebrations calendar of events for 2009 and how to apply for the Q150 Community Funding Program which closes 5 September 2008.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500