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

Queensland communities have pulled out all stops to celebrate next year’s Queensland’s 150^th Anniversary and that includes the Diamantina Shire Council and Longreach Regional Councils’ Q150 activities, 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.

“Two community applications from Longreach have successfully applied for $20,000 in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding.

“They are Diamantina Shire Council’s celebration of the opening of the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre and Longreach Regional Council’s musical theatrical performance, My Days, Your Days.

“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.”

Longreach Q150 Community Funding projects in Round 3:

Diamantina Shire Council, Bedourie, $10,000. The celebrations surrounding the opening of extensions and renovations at the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre at Birdsville which was funded through the Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Program. As part of the celebrations Council will unveil a Q150 plaque and raffle off a Q150 number plate. The opening celebration will reflect on the past history of early settlers to the Birdsville and Diamantina area.

Longreach Regional Council, $10,000. My Days, Your Days- a musical theatrical performance - that will tell the stories of the region from pioneering days with a vision for the future.

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

Brian Mooney, Tourism and Development Manager, Diamantina Shire Council, 07 4746 1202, tourism@diamantina.qld.gov.au

Merry Higgins, Events/Publicity Officer, Longreach Regional Council, 4658 4153, events@longreach.qld.gov.au