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.”
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