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

From a re-enactment to a colonial fair, Gladstone 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.

“Four community applications from Gladstone have successfully applied for $39,719 in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding.

“They include the Discovery Coast Tourism and Commerce 1770 Festival Committee’s re-enactment of the Landing of Captain Cook in 1770 at what is now the town of 1770 and Gladstone Regional Council’s Colonial Fair at the Calliope River Historical Village.

“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.”

Gladstone Q150 Community Funding projects in Round 3:

Discovery Coast Tourism and Commerce 1770 Festival Committee, Agnes Waters, $10,000. A re-enactment of the landing of Captain Cook in 1770 at what is now the town of 1770.

Enterprise Biloela Association Inc, Biloela, $10,000. Installation of public art (interpretative signage) in the town’s central square. An interactive sculpture will mark the location of a time capsule while the interpretative signage will take tourists and visitors on a walk through the original CBD of Biloela to 12 historic buildings.

Gladstone Maritime History Society Inc, $7519, Celebration, of the HMAS Gladstone as a museum display piece.

Gladstone Regional Council, $10,000. A Colonial Fair at the Calliope River Historical Village to celebrate Queensland’s 150^th anniversary.

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

Charmaine Eyre-Thompson, Festival Coordinator, Discovery Coast Tourism and Commerce, 4902 1533, agneswatervic@gladstoneregion.org.au

Rosemary Munroe, Secretary, Enterprise Biloela, 07 4992 6664, rjmunroe@dodo.com.au

Noel Bowley, Secretary, Gladstone maritime History Society Inc, 4979 1947 nbbowley1@bigpond.com

Cale Francis Dendle, Director Community Service, Gladstone Regional Council, 4970 0769, caled@gcc.qld.gov.au