Shine seeks top Toowoomba Queensland icons

Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine is calling on locals come forward with their “Queensland Icons”.

In the countdown to Queensland’s 150th Celebrations 2009 (Q150) the Premier Anna Bligh has called on Queenslanders to start thinking about what icons they believe define the Queensland identity, with voting on icons beginning in March 2009.

“The Carnival of Flowers, Southern Cross Windmill and the Mothers Memorial in Queen’s Park are my favourite Toowoomba Queensland icons,” said Mr Shine

“To me these icons epitomise the spirit of Toowoomba as the Garden City of Queensland.
“As the Premier said maybe it’s Eddie Mabo, the Story Bridge, the Queensland Muddie, the Gabba, the XXXX Man, Qantas, or the Big Pineapple – then again maybe its all of them.

“We have a great chance to share in Queensland 150th anniversary celebration and at the same time recognise the great people, places and stories of our great area,” said Mr Shine.

Through the Q150 Icons program all of us have an opportunity to have their say on this topic.

There are 10 categories that Queenslanders will have the opportunity to vote on in March next year with an outcome announced later in the year.

The categories include; State shapers, sports legends, influencing artists, natural attractions, locations, engineering feats, defining moments, inventions and innovations. There is also a category to capture what it means to be a Queenslander - ‘Typically Queensland’ a category to capture the more quirky fun-loving side that Queenslanders are famous for.

All Queensland State Members have been asked to take part in this project and invited them to submit 10 nominations from their constituents across the 10 categories.

This will be followed by the voting period 1 March 2009 to 30 April 2009 and an announcement on Queensland’s top 150 icons regionally and across Queensland later in the year.

Next year is shaping up to be an exciting year for Queenslanders and now one in which we define our identity.

Category	Description
Our people…
1.State-shapers	People/organisations who/that have influenced/contributed significantly to Queensland i.e. politicians, businesses, Steve Irwin.
2.Influencing artists	Artists (musicians, authors, actors, painters, designers) or art works.
3.Sports legends	People who have made a contribution to sport in Queensland.
Our places…
4.Locations	Iconic locations in Queensland i.e. Big Pineapple, Australia Zoo, South Bank.
5.Natural attractions	Iconic locations that are naturally formed i.e. Great Barrier Reef, Carnarvon Gorge, Fraser Island.
6.Structures and engineering feats	Buildings, constructions, signs, museums i.e. Gabba, Bundaberg Rum Distillery, tilt train.
Our stories…
7.Defining moments	Memorable moments from our past, things we’ve overcome, moments that have bought Queenslanders together i.e. Brisbane floods, Expo, Mabo.
8.Inventions and innovations	Inventions or innovative concepts that Queensland has pioneered i.e. Royal Flying Doctor Service, cervical cancer vaccination.
9.Events and festivals	Iconic Queensland events or those that originated in Queensland i.e. Carnival of Flowers, Woodford Folk Festival, Ekka.
10.“Typically Queensland”	Anything that is reminiscent of Queensland e.g. food, animals, behaviours, fashion, traditions i.e. Moreton Bay bug, jacaranda trees, thongs, Queenslander houses

Media contact: Toowoomba North Electorate Office 46385755