Queensland Day

Queensland Day is officially celebrated on 6 June as the birthday of the Australian state of Queensland.

History

Detail from Letters Patent erecting Colony of Queensland.

Moves towards statehood began with a public meeting in 1851 to consider separation of Queensland from New South Wales. As the push for separation gained momentum, Queen Victoria was approached to consider establishing a separate colony based at Moreton Bay. The Queen gave her approval and signed the Letters Patent on 6 June 1859. On the same day an Order-in-Council gave Queensland its own Constitution. Queensland became a self-governing colony with its own Governor, a nominated Legislative Council and an elected Legislative Assembly.

Now 6 June is celebrated by Queenslanders as the day when the new colony of Queensland was established.

With the word 'Separation' painted on its hull, the ship Clarence sailed into Brisbane on 10 July 1859, to be greeted by a jubilant crowd eagerly awaiting the news of separation. Clarence was welcomed with a 14-gun salute, a 'blue light' display and fireworks.

On 20 July, Queensland was informed that Sir George Bowen would be the State's first Governor. Celebrations resumed with fireworks, cannon fires, flag raisings and the sound of gunshots.

On 10 December 1859, Governor Bowen arrived in Brisbane to a civic reception in the Botanic Gardens. He officially marked the historic occasion of Separation by reading a proclamation from the verandah of the Deanery of St. John's Cathedral.

Queensland Greats Awards

Since 2001, the Queensland Greats Awards have been presented as part of Queensland Day celebrations. These awards recognise outstanding Queenslanders for their lifetime of dedication and contribution to the development of the state and their role in strengthening and shaping the community. A posthumous category was added in 2015 and from 2016, an institution has been acknowledged annually.[1]

Year Individuals Institution Posthumous
2016 RSPCA Queensland George Roberts
2015
  • Andrew Brice
  • James Dale
  • Pat Fennell
  • Jack Gleeson
  • Robert MacPherson
 RSL (Queensland Branch) Steve Irwin
2014 Endeavour Foundation
2013 Australian Red Cross Society
2012 Queensland Meals on Wheels
2011 Queensland State Emergency Service
2010 The University of Queensland (UQ)
2009
  • Philip Bacon
  • Bill Bristow
  • Kev Carmody
  • Robyn Rodwell
  • Anthony Ryan
 Blue Care
2008 Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland section)
2007 Surf Life Saving Queensland
2006 Mater Misericordiae Health Service
2005
2004
  • Julie H. Campbell
  • Hugh Cornish
  • Richard Lewandowski
  • William Robinson
  • Nick Xynias
2003
2002
2001

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Queensland Greats Awards". Government of Queensland. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
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