MOUNT ISA/NORTH WEST COMMUNITIES GO ALL OUT TO CELEBRATE QLD’S 150TH

From the 2009 Dirt and Dust Festival to an air show, North West 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.

“Nine community applications from the North West have successfully applied for $80,300 in the third and final round of Q150 Community Funding.

“They include Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival and the Rotary Club of Cloncurry’s air show in conjunction with the Rotary Merry Muster Rodeo 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.”

North West Q150 Community Funding projects in Round 3:

All Souls St Gabriel's School Inc. Parents and Friends Association, $10,000. Celebration and commemoration of the 1942 school through the production of tiles bearing the name of a student who lived in the school in 1942.

Boulia Shire Council, $10,000. A series of 10 display banners for a public photographic exhibition featuring an image of every local resident within the Shire. The project will involve the whole community in celebrating the State's 150th anniversary. The community will celebrate who they are and where they came from - and their contribution to the Shire.

Carpentaria Shire Council, $10,000. A one-day extravaganza of activities and entertainment for the community that will celebrate Queensland’s 150th anniversary.

Charters Towers and Dalrymple Family History Association, $8097. Recording information specific to the Charters Towers Region within a contextual narrative of the evolution, tribulations, and course of Queensland's political system.

Flinders Shire Council, $2500. Design and purchase of 10 self standing teardrop banners.

Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival Inc, $10,000. The 2009 The Dirt and Dust Festival.

Mount Isa Community Development Association Inc, $9703. A World War II photographic exhibition to raise awareness of the major role Mount Isa played during World War II.

Richmond Shire Council, $10,000. Celebrating Queensland’s 150^th anniversary and Richmond’s historical fossil icon Kronosaurus Queenslandicus and the vision of an inspiring future filled with possibilities and creativity.

Rotary Club of Cloncurry, $10,000. An air show in conjunction with the Cloncurry Rotary Merry Muster Rodeo in 2009.

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

James Tucker, Headmaster, All Souls St Gabriel’s School Inc Parents and Friends Association, mtucker@allsouls.qld.edu.au

Sharon Walsh, Manager, Community Development and Environment, Boulia Shire Council, 07 4746 3412, mcde@boulia.qld.gov.au

Anne Pleash, Manager of Community Services, Carpentaria Shire Council, 4745 2228, mcs@carpentaria.qld.gov.au

Kett Kennedy, Charters Towers and Dalrymple Family History Association,4787 4507, lynrob@tadaust.org.au

Leanne Rogers, Acting CEO, Flinders Shire Council, 4741 1288 leanner@flinders.qld.gov.au

Margie Ryder, Event Manager, Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival Inc, 4751 6607 madmaggies@bigpond.com

Janey Webb, Secretary, Mount Isa Community Development Association Inc, 07 4153 2333, jwebb@bundabergbec.org.au

Kirstin Westerman, Rotary Club of Cloncurry,0412 390 572 mikewesterman@bigpond.com

Michelle Clarke, CEO, Richmond Shire Council, 4741 3277 michellec@richmond.qld.gov.au