CABOOLTURE COMMUNITIES GO ALL OUT TO CELEBRATE QLD’S 150TH

Caboolture’s communities have pulled out all stops on to celebrate next year’s Queensland’s 150^th Anniversary with a diverse range of projects from commemorative plaques to gravestone restoration and the naming of a new orchid, Premier Anna Bligh said today.

“There is outstanding interest for the remaining $2.4 million for the third and final round of the $4 million Q150 Community Funding Program,” she said.

The program, initiated by the Government, helps communities stage their own 2009 celebrations.

“Once again creative events and activities dominate the line-up.

“Five diverse Caboolture community applications were successful in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding for $37,560.

“For instance the Rotary Club of Bribie Island is installing 16 plaques that will form a self-guided heritage walk around historic Bongaree on Bribie Island.

“The Spatial Sciences Institute of Queensland’s Caboolture Town Group is one of several groups around the State that are establishing Q150 commemorative permanent survey marks.

“At the same time, the Upper Caboolture Uniting Church Restoration Committee is restoring damaged headstones and weathered graves including placing plaques on unmarked graves.

“It’s great to see communities so excited about celebrating our 150^th anniversary of separation from New South Wales.

“We’ve come a long way since 1859 and we have plenty to celebrate.

“Today’s Proclamation Day and 21 sleeps until we start our biggest birthday year yet.

“We’ve added more than 300 successful community commemorative projects to the Q150 groundswell of activity that’s building up for next year.

“Queenslanders now have almost 500 Queensland Government-funded community activities they can enjoy or participate in around the State.

“This is on top of the major touring events like the Q150 steam train, Q150 shed and Q150 Film Festival.

“Queensland turns 150 only once and we’re doing everything we can to make sure celebrations touch as many Queenslanders as possible.

“From Weipa and the Torres Strait Islands in the North to Bedourie in the Far West and the Gold Coast in the South, there’s a Q150 activity for everyone.

“2009 is our year! Get ready to enjoy the events, the commemorations and the many creative ways you’ve come up with to mark this milestone in your own communities.”

Caboolture Q150 Community Funding Projects in Round 3 are:

Bribie Island Orchid Society Inc, Bribie Island, $6500. A Q150 Orchid Show where members will dress in period costume and brochure on the history of orchids. A new orchid will also be developed and registered with the Royal Horticultural Society in London and named Doritaenopsis Bribie Q150.

Moreton Bay Regional Council, Caboolture, $10,000. A research project consisting of detailed stories and history to provide the basis of a legacy of benefits horses have made to Queensland over the past 150 years. Caboolture was settled in 1841 and through this time, the horse has played a fundamental role in defining its social fabric.

Rotary Club of Bribie Island, $5730. Installation of 16 plaques that will form a self-guided heritage walk around historic Bongaree on Bribie Island. The project will recognise the joint achievements of Indigenous and European Australians.

Spatial Sciences Institute (Queensland Division) – Caboolture Town Group, Caboolture, $10 000. Q150 commemorative permanent survey marks in the Brisbane region celebrating surveyors and other spatial information practitioners who were involved in the demarcation of Queensland from the then colony of New South Wales 150 years ago.

Upper Caboolture Uniting Church Restoration Committee, Upper Caboolture, $5330. Restoration of damaged headstones and weathered graves including placing plaques on unmarked graves. This project will honour the pioneers of the area and their families who are buried in unmarked graves and will develop a modern record of the cemetery.

Q150 program of events is available online at www.q150.qld.gov.au. More events are uploaded weekly. Printed programs will be available in local newspapers week commencing 25 January 2008 with a second printed program planned mid-year.

Media inquiries: 3224 4500

Lynnette Hauck, Secretary, Bribie Island Orchid Society Inc,3410 1919, lynn@bribieislandorchidsociety.com

Chris Friend, Sport and Recreation Planner, Moreton Bay Regional Council, 5433 2338, chris.friend@moretonbay.qld.gov.au

Barry Chamberlain, Director, Public Relations, Rotary Club of Bribie Island, 07 3410 7444, bc2020bc@bigpond.com

James Cox, Spatial Sciences Institute (Queensland Division) 5433 7732 jim.cox.nrw.qld.gov.au

Rhona Collinson Chairperson, Upper Caboolture Uniting Church Restoration Committee, 07 3482 5120 rcoll@nlrr.com.au