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

From a gay and lesbian touring integrated dance performance to a book that celebrates the history of rail, Queensland communities in the city’s south have pulled out all stops to celebrate 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.

“Nine community applications from south of the city have been successful in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding for $58,500.

“The Brisbane Lesbian and Gay Pride Choral Society are staging Queer 150-Hooroo George Street, G’day Kingaroy reflecting on the queer identity in Queensland over the years.

“David Burke OAM is writing a 200-page publication Chasing the Sunshine, a history of Queensland’s North Coast Line and Sunshine Express, one of the first significant railway construction projects for Queensland Railways.

“The Josephite Associate Network of Queensland are planning a multimedia program on the early history of Mary MacKillop, Julian Tenison Woods and their followers and the part they played in the establishment of Catholic education throughout the state.

“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 South Q150 Community Funding Projects in Round 3 are:

The Brisbane Lesbian and Gay Pride Choral Society Inc, Yeronga, $9500. Queer 150-Hooroo George Street, G’day Kingaroy, an integrated performance piece of new songs and elements such as the spoken word, movement, dance, multi-media and comedy. The production would be developed and performed in Brisbane and then toured in regional Queensland to locations such as Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Warwick and Maryborough.

Board of the Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, $10,000. Chasing the Sunshine, a history of the story of Queensland’s beautiful train and the people it served by David Burke OAM. The 200-page publication will document and celebrate the history of the North Coast Line and Sunshine Express, one of the most significant railway construction projects for Queensland Railways. The Sunshine Coast Express was the first long distance passenger train to travel from Brisbane to Cairns. It will feature tourism and construction maps, photographs, oral histories and contemporary accounts and anecdotes from construction through to the tourist age.

Deaf Services Queensland, Annerley, $5000. A portable display that pictorially captures the visual history of Queensland through the eyes of deaf people. The display would be on show and available for use at several national and international events in Queensland that relate to deafness during Queensland’s 150^th anniversary year and beyond.

The Greek Orthodox Community of St George, South Brisbane, $10,000.

A digital record of the history of the Greek community in Queensland focussing on the significant role the Greek community has played in the development of the State over the past 150 years dating back to the story of Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen, the wife of the first Governor of Queensland. The State Library of Queensland is a partner of this project.

Josephite Associate Network Qld Inc, Dutton Park, $7000. A multimedia program that presents the early history of Mary MacKillop, Julian Tenison Woods and their followers and the part they played in the establishment of Catholic education throughout Queensland. This project will be developed in Brisbane and distributed to communities throughout the State.

The Lions Club of Brisbane Inc, South Brisbane, $10,000. A commemorative book, a DVD and a large pictorial display with maps and an official gala launch event to celebrate the contribution Greek immigrants have made to the development of Queensland. The content will be sourced from reports written by children of all ages who have interviewed their grandparents and parents and friends and collected material that depicts their historic journey. The Greek community has worked hard to establish themselves in cafes, farms, businesses and government and thus contribute to the growth and development of Queensland.

Queensland Maritime Museum, South Brisbane, $7000. An entertaining and interactive exhibition that educates and informs visitors of the stories and challenges of migration. For example it will explore the challenges faced by migrants leaving their country of origin and heading to Queensland. It will highlight the role of shipping in the migration story and it will provide visitors with a tool to research their family’s arrival by ship.

Spatial Sciences Institute (Queensland Division) – Brisbane Town Group, South Brisbane, $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.

Spatial Sciences Institute (Queensland Division) – Whitsunday Town Group, South Brisbane, $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.

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

Anthony Wray, Vice President, The Brisbane Lesbian and Gay Pride Choral Society Inc, 0409 974 413 akjwray@bigpond.com

Michelle Ryan, Manager Publications and Photography, Board of the Queensland Museum QM Publications, 3840 7602, michelle.ryan@qm.qld.gov.au

Heather Lawton, Fundraising Manager, Deaf Services Queensland, 3892 8535 heather.lawton@deafsq.org.au

Bico Athanasas, Administrator, The Greek Orthodox Community of St George, 3844 3669 bico@gocstgeorge.com.au

Brian Sullivan Treasurer, Josephite Associate Network Qld Inc, 3863 9447 briansul@aapt.net.au

Dennis Cayas, Secretary, The Lions Club of Brisbane Inc, 0407 145 709 dca03926@bigpond.net.au

Ian Jempson, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Maritime Museum, 3844 5361 ceo@maritimemuseum.com.au

Adam Ladhams, A/Chairperson, Spatial Sciences Institute (Queensland Division) – Brisbane Town Group, 0402 445 622, aladhams@wolterconsulting.com.au

Roderick Gould, Chairperson, Spatial Sciences Institute, (Queensland Division), Whitsunday Town Group,4948 5300, roderick.gould@conics.com.au