CITY NORTH COMMUNITIES GO ALL OUT TO CELEBRATE QLD’S 150TH

From a theatrical production to the celebration of heritage sculpture and a book of short stories written by children in foster care, communities in the city’s north have pulled out all stops to commemorate next year’s Queensland’s 150^th Anniversary, 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.

“Six community applications from north of the city have been successful in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding for $54,905.

“For instance, Front Row Theatre will produce a theatrical production about the heritage listed Hamilton Town Hall and it’s place in the community.

“Federazione Cattolica Italiana wants to rediscover the work of 19^th Century Italian Sculptor Andrea Stombuco (1820-1907) and how it changed the face of booming Brisbane.

“The Pyjama Foundation plans to publish a book of short stories written by children in foster care highlighting the significance of Queensland’s foster care community.

“Brisbane’s war memorial church, St Augustine’s Anglican Church is planning a Festival of Youth to celebrate the anniversary of the State and the Diocese.

“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.”

City North Q150 Community Funding Projects in Round 3 are:

Everton Park State School Parents and Citizens Association, $10,000. An afternoon of celebrations to mark the 150^th anniversary of Queensland and 75^th anniversary of Everton Park State School. Activities will include school and community historical displays, entertainment reminiscent of the early days. It will include input from past and present students and teachers, local Indigenous and multicultural groups and the general communities of Everton Park. Celebrations will coincide with the release of a publication aimed at preserving the school’s history while the school’s 75^th anniversary and Queensland’s 150^th anniversary will be integrated into student work units.

Federazione Cattolica Italiana North Brisbane, Lutwyche, $7000. Rediscover the work of 19^th Century Italian Sculptor Andrea Stombuco (1820-1907). Stombuco changed the face of a booming Brisbane by contributing to the design of buildings such as St Andrews Anglican Church at South Brisbane (1878), St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church at Goodna (1880), Palma Rosa villa at Hamilton (1887), and the demolished Her Majesty’s Theatre (1885) and Theatre Royal in Elizabeth Street (1880). The aim of the project is to initiate a lecture on his works and to organise bus tours of selected Stombuco buildings including St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fortitude Valley culminating with a display of Stombuco memorabilia at one of the buildings he designed.

Front Row Theatre, Clayfield, $10,000. A theatrical production about the history of the heritage listed Hamilton Town Hall and its importance to the local community, based on a range of material from archived material to oral histories. It will also include a display and multi-media presentation highlighting the hall’s history.

The Pyjama Foundation Ltd, Albion, $10,000. A book of short stories written by children in foster care with the assistance of the Pyjama Foundation volunteers. The foundation plans to work with the Department of Child Safety, Queensland author Nick Earls and Queensland illustrator Terry Whidborne to produce the book. The book would also highlight the significance of Queensland’s foster care community.

Queensland Museum Loans, Hendra, $9905.40. A Queensland Emblems object-based learning kit that explores the significance of State emblems. The kit will stimulate investigation of the development of primary industries represented in the Queensland Coat of Arms (cattle, sheep, wheat, sugar and mining) including cultural diversity of industry pioneers, the economic significance of industries and impacts upon local and regional Indigenous populations since 1859. It will also encourage investigation of State faunal and floral emblems and habitats (koala, brolga, clown fish, sapphire and Cooktown orchid), including evidence in fossil records and impacts on biodiversity since 1859.

St Augustine’s Anglican Church (Diocese of Brisbane) (War Memorial church), Hamilton, $8000. A Festival of Youth to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the State and the Diocese, supported by Queensland’s talented musicians and choristers. The project will reflect on sacrifices made by many Queensland youths in the Great War. It will celebrate the past musical tradition of the Parish community and its recently emerging choral talent. It will also acknowledge the role of the community in supporting youth over the past 150 years, particularly the Sisters of the Sacred Advent.

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

Kylie McGrory, President, Everton Park State School Parents and Citizens Association, 0413 121 565, kmcgrory@iprimus.com.au

Mauro Conte, Chaplain, Federazione Cattolica Italiana North Brisbane, 3315 6474 mauroconte@optusnet.com.au

Paul Hannah, President, Front Row Theatre, 0411 663 694 paul@palindrome.com.au

Tanya Busoli, Fundraising Manager, The Pyjama Foundation Ltd, 3262 5569 tanya@thepyjamafoundation.com

Jo Forsyth, Manager, Queensland Museum Loans, 3406 8343 jo.forsyth@qm.qld.gov.au

Hugh Luckhurst-Smith, Parish Councillor, St Augustine’s Anglican Church (Diocese of Brisbane), 0448 164 080, hugh.lucklhurst-smith@fyfe.com.au