Published Monday, 04 August, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
COUNTDOWN TO QUEENSLAND’S 150th CELEBRATIONS 2009 BEGINS
Premier Anna 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 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.
Member for Brisbane Grace Grace said the Q150 Shed will be in Brisbane on its second tour which begins in November 2009.
“Also the Q150 Train journey which travels to more than 30 towns in Queensland begins from Roma Street on 14 April 2009,” said Ms Grace.
The Premier said that in these climate change conscious times, it’s also important to note that its carbon emissions will be offset through the planting of 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.
Lyndon Terracini, Chief Executive, of Major Brisbane Festivals said there would be two Q150 shed tours of regional Queensland, one beginning June 2009 and one 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 http://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 said the Q150 steam train along with the corrugated iron Q150 entertainment 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.
Member for Brisbane Grace Grace said the Q150 Shed will be in Brisbane on its second tour which begins in November 2009.
“Also the Q150 Train journey which travels to more than 30 towns in Queensland begins from Roma Street on 14 April 2009,” said Ms Grace.
The Premier said that in these climate change conscious times, it’s also important to note that its carbon emissions will be offset through the planting of 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.
Lyndon Terracini, Chief Executive, of Major Brisbane Festivals said there would be two Q150 shed tours of regional Queensland, one beginning June 2009 and one 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 http://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