ALL ABOARD! QLD’S 150 STEAM TRAIN STOPS AT MAREEBA
Published Monday, 04 August, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Mareeba will be one of more than 30 stops on the Queensland’s 150th Celebrations 2009 (Q150) five-month steam train journey which begins in April 2009, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
Ms Bligh arrived at Roma Street Station today aboard the Q150 steam train to announce the start of the 150-day countdown to Queensland’s sesquicentenary celebrations in 2009.
Ms Bligh said the Q150 steam train along with other key Q150 celebratory elements still under wraps 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 good news is the Q150 train arrives in Mareeba on 26 June 2009 giving local communities the opportunity to create local Q150 activities with Q150 Community Funding.
“Communities will have the opportunity to receive and send messages to keep the Q150 spirit alive along the journey.
“A tree planting ceremony will also mark the occasion.
“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 and the enthusiastic team of rail volunteers who will run the steam train are working closely with the Queensland’s 150th Celebrations unit to deliver this exciting catalyst 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 a lot of people in the communities around Queensland, the Queensland Government as well as a growing band of big ticket Q150 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.”
She said the train was one of the key elements of the Q150 celebratory calendar for next year. More will be revealed in the weeks and months ahead, including Indigenous community engagement, encouraging participation in digital stories and the call for communities to participate in identifying and celebrating Queensland icons.
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 inquiries: 3224 4500
Ms Bligh arrived at Roma Street Station today aboard the Q150 steam train to announce the start of the 150-day countdown to Queensland’s sesquicentenary celebrations in 2009.
Ms Bligh said the Q150 steam train along with other key Q150 celebratory elements still under wraps 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 good news is the Q150 train arrives in Mareeba on 26 June 2009 giving local communities the opportunity to create local Q150 activities with Q150 Community Funding.
“Communities will have the opportunity to receive and send messages to keep the Q150 spirit alive along the journey.
“A tree planting ceremony will also mark the occasion.
“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 and the enthusiastic team of rail volunteers who will run the steam train are working closely with the Queensland’s 150th Celebrations unit to deliver this exciting catalyst 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 a lot of people in the communities around Queensland, the Queensland Government as well as a growing band of big ticket Q150 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.”
She said the train was one of the key elements of the Q150 celebratory calendar for next year. More will be revealed in the weeks and months ahead, including Indigenous community engagement, encouraging participation in digital stories and the call for communities to participate in identifying and celebrating Queensland icons.
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 inquiries: 3224 4500