Queensland Week sponsorships spread celebrations statewide

Communities across the state will be celebrating 2014 Queensland Week with the Queensland Government sponsoring 15 new Queensland Week events.

Premier Campbell Newman said the Queensland Week sponsorship program offered funding to community groups and organisations planning events for Queensland Week in 2014.

“Each organisation can apply for up to $8,000 to help make Queensland Week a truly statewide celebration and to ensure as many Queenslanders as possible get the opportunity to celebrate our great state,” Mr Newman said.

“I am delighted to announce that next year’s sponsored events will be held in Ayr, Buderim, Eumundi, Brisbane, Croydon, Ipswich, Julia Creek, North Burnett, Innisfail, Hervey Bay, Lockyer Valley and Emerald.

“Looking at the list of sponsored events, I am impressed by the variety and quality of activities on offer.

“The one thing they all have in common is they each celebrate the Queensland spirit and our unique culture, heritage and lifestyle.”

Among the successful applicants for the 2014 Queensland Week sponsorship program are a tribute to renowned Queensland author David Malouf, a ride on the historic Gulflander train, a music festival and arts expo, and the performance and radio broadcast of a musical about the history of Cribb Island.

“These additions to next year’s Queensland Week calendar offer Queenslanders the chance to celebrate our great state and will hopefully encourage those among us who haven’t marked this special occasion before to get out and show their Queensland spirit,” Mr Newman said.

2014 Queensland Week will run from 31 May to 8 June and marks the state’s official separation from New South Wales.

For more information on Queensland Week visit www.queenslandweek.qld.gov.au or www.facebook.com/queenslandweek   

A total of $75,000 in sponsorship funding was on offer. Details on the sponsored events are outlined below.

[ENDS] 31 October 2013

Contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000

Sponsored events

Bountiful Burdekin Queensland Week Brunch (Burdekin Shire Council)

Anzac Park, Ayr – Sunday 1 June 2014

Free community event comprising children's rides, cane-cutting demonstrations and cane-stick relays, 'Best Queensland Ute' competition, market stalls, fun run/walk and activities from local sporting clubs. ($5000)

Buderim Youth Festival 2014 (Fusion Australia Ltd (Sunshine Coast))

Buderim Village Park – Saturday 7 June 2014

Community festival to celebrate Queensland's youth incorporating live music, information stalls and displays, leadership activities, rides, competitions and games. ($5000)

Celebrate Queensland @ Eumundi Markets (Original Eumundi Markets Ltd)

Eumundi Markets and Amphitheatre – Saturday 7 June 2014

The existing market event will be expanded to include a Welcome to Country, Queensland Proclamation re-enactment, free morning tea, 'Great Thong Toss', pineapple throwing competition, pig races, working dog display, and other demonstrations. ($5000)

Cribbie (Music Broadcasting Society of Queensland)

Cremorne Theatre, QPAC and statewide via 4MBS – Wednesday 4 to Saturday 7 June 2014

A musical play telling the history of the Brisbane suburb of Cribb Island. The play will be performed six times during Queensland Week and a radio version broadcast across the state. ($7000)

Croydon Gold - Golden Gate Train Ride (Croydon Shire Council)

Golden Gate Railway Siding, Croydon – Wednesday 4 June 2014

Return ride on the historic Gulflander Train from Croydon to the Golden Gate Mines Railway Siding Site for a night of Queensland themed entertainment and fireworks. ($5000)

Ipswich Queensland Day (Queensland Police Citizens Youth Club - Ipswich Branch)

Limestone Park, Ipswich – Saturday 7 June 2014

Local sporting associations, businesses and the wider community will compete in an obstacle course. The event will include a sausage sizzle, children's activities and information stalls. ($5500)

McKinlay Shire Queensland Week Celebrations (McKinlay Shire Council)

Kev Bannah Oval and CSA Building, Julia Creek – Saturday 31 May 2014

Cultural event for all ages featuring a senior and junior football match, rides, entertainment and art and craft stalls that showcase local lifestyle. ($6000)

North Burnett Celebrates Queensland Week (North Burnett Regional Council)

Across several North Burnett Regional Council venues – Monday 2 June to Friday 6 June 2014

Week-long event celebrating the history and culture of North Burnett, including displays, competitions and daily morning teas, culminating in a Queensland Day sausage sizzle. ($3000)

Queensland Choral Sounds (Reclink Australia)

Courier-Mail Piazza, South Bank – Thursday 5 June 2014

Showcasing choir programs from across south east Queensland and including more than 120 singers from diverse backgrounds with appearances from well-known Queensland music identities. ($6000)

Queensland Jazz Composers World Premiere (Jazz Queensland Incorporated)

Brisbane Powerhouse Visy Theatre – Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June 2014

New compositions will be commissioned from four of Queensland's leading jazz composers and premiered at a special Queensland Week event as part of the 2014 Brisbane International Jazz Festival. ($6000)

Queensland Week David Malouf 80th Birthday Celebration (School of English, Media Studies and Art History (Faculty of Arts at the University of Queensland))

State Library and the University of Queensland – Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June 2014

A series of literary events and readings to celebrate the work of Queensland literary icon, David Malouf. ($6000)

Queensland Week Historical Exhibition (Innisfail and District Historical Society Inc)

Innisfail CBD – Saturday 31 May to Saturday 7 June 2014

CBD shopfront photographic exhibition showcasing local historical events. The display will be staffed by volunteers and launched with an opening event. ($500)

Queensland Week Music Festival and Arts Expo (Hervey Bay Council for the Arts Inc)

Seafront Oval, Pialba – Saturday 7 June 2014

Day and night festival showcasing local Queensland artists through music, dance, visual arts, associated local products and community groups. ($5000)

Queensland Week in the Lockyer (Lockyer Valley Regional Council)

Gatton and Laidley – Tuesday 3 (Laidley) and Wednesday 4 (Gatton) June 2014

Celebration of all things Queensland in two regional locations and including a BBQ, produce market, window decorating competition and Queensland Day in the Office competition. ($4000)

Sunrise Park Celebrations (Rotary Club of Emerald Sunrise)

Rotary Sunrise Park, Emerald – Saturday 7 June 2014

Celebrate the Queensland outdoors with BMX demonstrations, children's cycle safety learning activity, remote-controlled car racing demo and BBQ. ($6000)