Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Workshops Rail Museum wins at the Australian Tourism Awards
Congratulations to The Workshops Rail Museum for taking out the top gong in the heritage and cultural tourism category at the 2011 Australian Tourism Awards.
According to Brisbane Marketing Chief Executive Officer John Aitken, the award was a well deserved recognition for the museum.
“The Workshops Rail Museum is an outstanding attraction for Ipswich and the Greater Brisbane and this award is a credit to the staff and volunteers for their hard workd and dedication,” Mr Aitken said.
Arts Minister and Ipswich Member Rachel Nolan congratulated The Workshops Rail Museum after it took out the coveted award.
“Now the rest of Australia knows what we already did – The Workshops Rail Museum is a winner,” Ms Nolan said.
“It already won national recognition in 2007, taking out the prestigious Best Heritage and Cultural Tourist Experience, and now staff will have to make room on the mantelpiece for another trophy.”
The Ipswich museum beat Fremantle Prison (WA), Venture North (NT), Museum of Australian Democracy (ACT), Old Melbourne Gaol (VIC), Innamincka Hotel (SA), Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre (TAS), and the Temora Aviation Museum (NSW) to take out the award in the heritage and cultural tourism category.
“This award is testament to the dedication of staff and volunteers, as well as those at the adjacent Queensland Rail workshops,” Ms Nolan said.
“Each and every one involved in the museum is a winner.”
The Australian Tourism Awards are the most prestigious tourism event in the country and showcase the wealth of fantastic tourism product Australia has to offer.
“Local, state and national tourism awards are a great tool to help operators improve their business,” Ms Nolan said.
“In these tough economic times, every bit of promotion helps our tourism industry and money cannot buy this sort of publicity for The Workshops Rail Museum.”
Set at the birthplace of rail in Queensland, The Workshops Rail Museum features 15 hands-on exhibitions for visitors to explore.
The exhibits include historic carriages, a model railway, stories about the future of rail, and treasures such as the Vice-Regal carriage and Australia’s oldest working steam locomotive.
Visitors also get to meet some true Aussie characters when they step into a real heritage railway workshop and see it in operation.
The Workshops Rail Museum is part of the Queensland Museum. For more information visit www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au or call 07 3432 5100.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Brisbane's Backyard - Beautiful Ipswich
Brisbane's beautiful backyard, which includes the Scenic Rim, Country Valleys and Ipswich, is the focus of a campaign run by Brisbane Marketing designed to attract visitors to the region.
The campaign features hotels, B&Bs and retreats in the region - a leisurely one hour drive west of Brisbane- offering great accommodation deals until March 28.
Brisbane Marketing Leisure Tourism Director Cathie McBean said the depth and breadth of tourism products and experiences in the Scenic Rim, Country Valleys and Ipswich regions are perfect for people to explore over the Easter long weekend break.
"This campaign is timely, while only two months since the floods it is important we send out a very clear message - the Scenic Rim, Country Valleys and Ipswich- Brisbane's beautiful backyard- is open and ready for families and visitors to enjoy," she said.
"We want to educate people in Brisbane about the amazing country experiences to be had right on their doorstep.
"In the Ipswich region people can explore historical landmarks like the Ipswich Heritage Trail, or the award-winning Workshops Rail Museum; or adrenalin lovers can get their fill with skydiving, hot air ballooning or driving a V8 Supercar at the Queensland Raceway.
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A Glimpse of the Prince - Prince William in Ipswich, QLD
HUNDREDS of people faced drizzling weather and lengthy delays to catch a glimpse of Prince William as he arrived at West Moreton Anglican College yesterday.
The future king was 30 minutes late and travelled in a convoy that included eight police motorcycles, two police cars and eight white government vehicles.
All that most spectators saw was a quick wave and smile from the Prince before the motorcade cruised off the school.
Rhianna Clamp, 29, from Ipswich, was born in the same year as the Prince and admitted to having a crush on him.
“My husband didn't want to come today, probably because he knows how I feel about Prince William,” she said.
“He just rolled his eyes when I said I was going.”
Mary Platt from Ipswich said she was a proud royalist through and through.
“Even though we just saw a fleeting glimpse today we can still say we saw him,” Mrs Platt said.
“I have been writing to the palace for years, asking to be invited to morning tea.”
Sarah Braun from Flinders View brought her daughter Sasha, 5, to see the Prince.
“It is her birthday today,” Ms Braun said.
“She woke up this morning and said she'd like to see the Prince.”
Jean Caldwell from Raceview showed her patriotism with the Welsh flag and a sign that said Croeso, which means “welcome” in Welsh.
“We're so excited to see him, he seems to be just like his mother,” Mrs Caldwell said. “It's not every day you get to see the Prince.”
Louise Atkinson lives 20 minutes south of Grantham in the Lockyer Valley but was not affected by the floods.
Her son and husband both secured spots inside the Westmac hall.
“My son Kye goes to Westmac and my husband is in the defence force so they both got to see him,” Mrs Atkinson said.
“We were really lucky during the floods though and didn't even lose power.
“Seeing the Prince today is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Alan McKinless, of Eastern Heights, watched from his car in Karrabin as the royal plane made its descent into Amberley.
“It is good to see a royal in Ipswich,” he said.
Gary Pryde from Walloon said the Prince's driver went too fast.
“No one would have shot him.”
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Prince William Expected to Visit Lockyer
IT IS expected Prince William will tour the worst-hit parts of the flood-devastated Lockyer Valley when he visits Australia this month.
The Prince will visit Australia and New Zealand to meet with residents affected by the summer's natural disasters.
The Prince, who is marrying Catherine Middleton on April 29, will arrive in Australia on Saturday, March 19, where he will spend two days visiting areas affected by the cyclone and flooding in Queensland.
The itinerary has not yet been made public, but Australian Monarchist League Queensland branch chairman Tristan Rogers said he expected the future King to visit areas hit by Cyclone Yasi, Brisbane and Victoria but especially the Lockyer Valley.
“Particularly Grantham, where there was significant loss of life,” Mr Rogers said.
“The focus should be on the people who lost their lives and businesses.
“I think it will be a welcome lift, especially for people whose families have been wiped out.
“I think it's fantastic given the way we've been hammered so hard by natural disasters.
“It will give people something positive, and it shows he was thinking of us at a very difficult time.
“It will have a profoundly positive impact in a sombre part of Queensland's life.”
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has vowed to do whatever it takes to get Prince William to visit the city.
Cr Pisasale said he was planning to write to Prince William yesterday with an invitation to visit Ipswich.
“By the time the sun sets today he will have an invitation,” Cr Pisasale said yesterday.
“If you don't ask, you could miss out. It'd be wonderful if he was to come. I think everybody would come out in force.
“Being a young royal, I think it would wonderful for the young people of Ipswich too.”
Vocal republican, Ipswich councillor Paul Tully declined to answer a question about whether he would you like to see the Prince visit Goodna.
An article in the Queensland Times from February 20, 1958 described the last royal visit, by the Queen Mother:
“Displaying with every gesture the radiant and lovable personality which has endeared her to millions, Her Majesty was escorted by the ceremonially-robed Mayor to the royal dais. At this stage the cheering from the flag-waving crowds surged to an excited pitch of intensity.”
After standing for the National Anthem, the Queen Mother presented a speech: “Mr Mayor I thank you most sincerely for the welcome you have extended to me on behalf of the aldermen and citizens of Ipswich and for your expressions of loyalty to the throne,” she said.
“I am very happy to be with you on what must I fear be but a brief visit to this important and historic city. Here has been most happily developed a centre of economic and industrial importance with a cultural and educational background of which your citizens may worthily feel proud.”
Previous visit:
On February 19, 1958, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother dropped into visit Ipswich as part of her world tour.
Mayor Finimore put out a call to citizens and businesses to help beautify the city for her visit.
Businesses closed at 1.30pm to allow everyone to travel to Queens Park, where a crowd of over 12,000 people gathered.
Source: By the Bremer: Memories of Ipswich
Peter Foley | The Queensland Times
Wanted: Miss Showgirl Entrants
FAR from the beauty pageants of old, today’s Ipswich showgirls need to have it all.
The Ipswich Show Society is searching for a local woman to become the “face” of the show as the 2011 Miss Showgirl.
Open to women between the ages of 18 and 27, contestants are judged on a range of criteria, including their general knowledge of Ipswich, as well as their personality and presentation.
The competition offered entrants the opportunity to develop public speaking and networking skills, with contestants mingling with everyone from politicians to business people, said 2010 title holder Louisa Dossetor.
She said it also gave women the opportunity to learn the finer arts of deportment and etiquette.
“It is not a fundraiser and it is not a beauty pageant,” Ms Dossetor said.
“Young women are judged on how they carry themselves and represent their local region.”
The Mt Crosby pharmaceutical sales rep said the competition also enabled young women to gain a range of marketable skills.
“When you finish school and uni, sometimes it is a struggle to find things to put on your resume,” Ms Dossetor said.
“By being part of the competition it shows you are involved in the local community.”
Ms Dossetor said the competition was also a great way to meet other like-minded young women.
“The competition has moved with the times,” she said.
“They have changed the age requirements so older people can be involved.
“It is definitely not old-fashioned.”
The 28-year-old, who went on to beat other young women from the Ipswich region’s country shows at the sub-chamber level, represented the region at the Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl awards at the Brisbane Ekka last year.
Ms Dossetor said for four days while she was competing at a state final, she and her fellow finalists had been “treated like royalty”.
“To go to government house and meet Governor General Penelope Wensley was a real privilege,” she said.
Entries in the 2011 competition close on April 1.
For more information, prospective entrants can ring the show office on 3281 1577 or visit the website, www.ipswichshow.com.au
Josephine Gillespie - The Queensland Times
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