Published Monday, 04 August, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
All ABOARD! QLD’S 150th STEAM TRAIN & SHED COMING TO MACKAY
Fun, excitement and entertainment for the whole family will be the order of the day when Queensland’s 150th Celebrations 2009 (Q150) steams into Mackay in May 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 (Q150).
Ms Bligh said the Q150 steam train along with the corrugated iron Q150 entertainment shed, in Mackay in 2009, would spread celebratory cheer and goodwill around Queensland next year, 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 Premier and the Member for Mackay Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said it was “great news” that the Q150 Train and the Q150 Shed will be in Mackay in 2009.
“It will allow local groups the opportunity to create their own Q150 activities.
“Mackay will be part of the Shed’s first tour which begins in June 2009 and the train arrives in Mackay on 24 May 2009,” said the Member for Mackay.
The Premier said that 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 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 and shed were two 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.
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.
The five-month steam train journey begins in Brisbane at Roma Street in April 2009 and travels to more than 30 towns in Queensland before ending in Ipswich in August 2009.
Lyndon Terracini, Chief Executive, of Major Brisbane Festivals said there would be two Q150 shed tours - one in June and the second beginning 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 inquiries: 3225 1610
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 (Q150).
Ms Bligh said the Q150 steam train along with the corrugated iron Q150 entertainment shed, in Mackay in 2009, would spread celebratory cheer and goodwill around Queensland next year, 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 Premier and the Member for Mackay Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said it was “great news” that the Q150 Train and the Q150 Shed will be in Mackay in 2009.
“It will allow local groups the opportunity to create their own Q150 activities.
“Mackay will be part of the Shed’s first tour which begins in June 2009 and the train arrives in Mackay on 24 May 2009,” said the Member for Mackay.
The Premier said that 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 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 and shed were two 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.
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.
The five-month steam train journey begins in Brisbane at Roma Street in April 2009 and travels to more than 30 towns in Queensland before ending in Ipswich in August 2009.
Lyndon Terracini, Chief Executive, of Major Brisbane Festivals said there would be two Q150 shed tours - one in June and the second beginning 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 inquiries: 3225 1610