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

From Indigenous celebrations to a musical and a rowing regatta, North Queensland 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.

“Ten community applications from Townsville and North Queensland have successfully applied for $79,967.70 in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding.

“They include The Burdekin Area Youth Watch’s BAY-Watch 150 Cultural Celebration which recognises the cultural and economic contributions of Indigenous people in the past, present and future.

“The Burdekin Singers and Theatre Company explore role reversal in its musical Big River which brings out the theatrical talent of individuals from different cultural backgrounds with the aim of breaking down barriers.

“The Riverway Rowing Club is planning a rowing regatta to commemorate Queensland’s 150^th anniversary with the first anniversary regatta having been held in 1860. There will be 150 events over two days involving 85 schools and 65 adult clubs.

“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.”

North Queensland Q150 Community Funding projects in Round 3:

Burdekin Area Youth Watch Incorporated, Ayr, $10,000. BAY-Watch 150 Cultural Celebration which recognises the contributions Indigenous people have made in the past, the significance of Indigenous people in the present, and the increasing participation of Indigenous people in the Burdekin's economic and cultural future.

Burdekin Singers and Theatre Co, Ayr, $10,000. Staging the musical, Big River, as part of the State's 150th anniversary celebrations with the aim of breaking down cultural barriers through role reversal.

Maidavale State School Parents and Citizens Association, Ayr, $10,000. A book celebrating the Centenary of the School, and a historical mural. The book will detail the families who made the school possible, and various milestones through-out the past 100 years. The mural will depict the changes to the community over time in a cane growing district. Community members will be invited to provide input.

Music Centre North Queensland, Townsville, $10,000. Court Stories, a short music theatre work made up of stories and the history surrounding the Old Magistrate's Court in Townsville. The project will research and present unique Queensland stories in a creative and innovative format, and document them for future generations. Historical and contemporary photos will appear as projections in the piece whilst actors read and perform text, and musicians perform pieces that have historic relevance. There will also be a 50 minute public performance.

Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club Inc, Townsville, $5000. An art competition that will celebrate Surf Lifesaving Queensland's 100th anniversary, and the State's 150th anniversary. The winning artwork will be transferred onto club equipment as a travelling mural.

Queensland Rail Heritage Volunteers, Townsville, $6107.70. A working scale model replica of the 1950s North Yard Rail Workshops in Townsville, complete with locomotives, tracks and buildings. The aim is to help both present and future generations understand the plat that rail played during World War II and to appreciate its role in the region’s growth and development.

Rotary Club of Home Hill Inc, $5500. A community fun day, a combined celebration of the club's 50th birthday and the State's 150th anniversary, an additional piece of playground equipment and a time capsule at Arch Dunn Memorial (Rotary) Park, Home Hill.

Riverway Rowing Club Inc, Rasmussen, $3580. A rowing regatta commemorating the State's 150th anniversary. The first anniversary regatta was held in 1860. The regatta will take place on the Upper Ross Rover within Townsville over two days. Over the two days there will be 150 events involving 85 schools and 65 adult clubs. A 'Come 'N' Try River Rowing' Day will be held once a month throughout 2009 to promote rowing to the community and to encourage membership.

Townsville City Council - Special Projects Unit, $10,000. A unique outdoor theatre piece of progressively chronological, character and event vignettes, that celebrates Townsville's growth and contribution to Queensland which will be the centrepiece of Townsville Q150 Heritage Day with its displays, re-enactments and cemetery tours.

Weir State School Parents and Citizens Association, Kirwin, $9780. Three wall murals based around the Q150 themes. The first mural will cover the words Weir State School in student handwriting over time: Old English, bat and ball and Queensland modern cursive elements. The second covers transport facing Ross River Road from World War II aircraft that landed there through to the current Defence conveyances as well as horses, bikes and scooters. The third mural will be of Townsville icons such as Mt Stuart, Castle Hill, the ‘sugar shaker’ and Ross Dam.

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

Bastiaan Dolkens, Secretary/Treasurer/Coordinator, Burdekin Area Youth Watch Incorporated, 4783 4849, bas.dolkens@optusnet.com.au

James Nuttall, Treasurer, Burdekin Singers and Theatre Co, 4783 1680, nuthome@dodo.com.au

Linda Gilchrist, President, Maidavale State School Parents and Citizens Association, 07 4782 6771, pandc@maidavalss.eq.edu.au

Margaret Caley, General Manager , Music Centre North Queensland, 4721 1771, admin@musiccentrenq.com

Victor O'Keefe, Grant Officer, Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club Inc, 0419 783 585 lic.vee@bigpond.com

J Hutton, Coordinator, Queensland Rail Heritage Volunteers, 07 4779 5885

Trevor Williams, Secretary, Rotary Club of Home Hill Inc, 4783 9921, trevor.williams@burdekin.qld.gov.au

Anne-Marie Falco, Grants Officer, Riverway Rowing Club Inc,4725 2405, amfalco24@hotmail.com

John Edgar, Heritage Research Officer, Townsville City Council, 4727 9554, john.edgar@townsville.qld.gov.au

Lynette Phillips, Weir State School Parents and Citizens Association, 0439 767 751, lynphillips@hotmail.com