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

From a musical theatre production to an air show, Bundaberg communities 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.

“Twelve community applications from the Bundaberg area have successfully applied for $109,685 in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding.

“They include the Childers State School Parents and Citizens Association’s musical theatre production, Through Isis Eyes, which celebrates the region’s vibrant history and the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow which will have a Q150 flair to it in 2009.

“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.”

Bundaberg Q150 Community Funding projects in Round 3:

Bundaberg Genealogical Association Inc, $10,000. A set of books that document and preserve the early history of the Bundaberg district from 1862 to 1903 based on local newspaper reports on business and industry, local government, communities, farms and stations.

Bundaberg State High School Parents and Citizens Association, $10,000. Historical and educational past and future sequences of murals celebrating Q150 in the lead-up to the school’s own centenary celebrations in 2012.

Childers State School Parents and Citizens Association, $9000. Through Isis Eyes, a musical theatre production that celebrates the region’s vibrant history.

Isis District Horse and Pony Club Inc, Childers, $4599. A community event to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the pony club and Queensland’s 150^th anniversary.

McIlwraith State School Parents and Citizens Association, Gin Gin, $10,000. Students to research and record the history of the school and the local community.

Rosedale Settlement Commemoration Association Inc, $8000. A Q150 celebration to recognise European settlement of the area.

Rotary Club of Bargara Inc, Innes Park North, $8500. Bronze plaques that will provide visitors and community members with information on the region’s history.

Shalom College Parents and Friends Association, Bundaberg, $10,000.

The 2009 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League Confraternity Carnival. 40 teams of 20 players will compete with thousands more coaches, managers, support staff, teachers and family members also attending. The carnival will celebrate Queensland’s 150^th anniversary as well as its own 30^th anniversary and Shalom College’s 25^th anniversary. Confraternity is acclaimed as the premier schoolboy rugby league carnival in Queensland. Over the years it has produced many future NRL stars, including a select group of State of Origin and Test Players.

Spatial Sciences Institute (Queensland Division) – Bundaberg Town Group of Surveyors, $10,000. Q150 commemorative permanent survey marks in the Bundaberg 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.

Wide Bay Australia International Airshow 2009, Bundaberg, $10,000. The 2009 Biennial Wide Bay International Airshow with Q150 celebrations. The show is the second largest airshow in Australia and includes a military component. Up to 30,000 people are expected to attend over three days at the Bundaberg Aerodrome. Surplus proceeds support the Royal Flying Doctors, Care Flight and Angel Flight.

Wide Bay Volunteer Resource Association Inc, Bundaberg, $9600. Q150 - Celebrating 150 years of Volunteering in the Bundaberg Region, a community event that showcases community not-for-profit organisations and celebrates their people and achievements in the community, it will also provide and informative forum for the community to access knowledge of these organisations in a family friendly carnival atmosphere.

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

Margaret Richard, Secretary, Bundaberg Genealogical Assoc, 4152 6092, romarich@interworx.com.au

Abigail Hall, Head of Dept, The Arts, Bundaberg State High School, 41 545 356, fax 41 545300, ahall85@eq.edu.au

David Horner, Music Coordinator, Childers State School Parents and Citizens Association, 4192 1333, dhorn15@eq.edu.au

Leigh-Anne Fredriksen, Isis District Horse and Pony Club Inc, 4126 2351 ifreddo@hotmail.com

Jo-Ann Thomson, President, McIlwraith State School Parents and Citizens Association, 4157 2138, bigbear@aapt.net.au

Mervyn Moore, President, Rosedale Settlement Commemoration Association Inc, 4156 5359 vk2pjs@activ8.net.au

Janey Webb Secretary 07 4153 2333 jwebb@bundabergbec.org.au

Dr Drew Speight, President, Shalom College Parents & Friends Association, 41512608, sp8@burnettmedical.com.au

Graham Charles Bent, Chair, Bundaberg Town Group of Surveyors, 4152 3811, fax 4152 3838, survey@stradbent.com.au; Meredith Scott-McMahon, Regional Executive Officer, Qld Region, Spatial Sciences Institute, 3217 2566, fax 3217 2866, reo.qld@spatialsciences.org.au

Richard King-Siem, CEO, Wide Bay Australia International Airshow 2009, 07 4155 0044, Richard@widebayairshow.com.au

Garry Silk, Manager, Wide Bay Volunteer Resource Association Inc, 4151 6644, manager@widebayvolunteers.org.au