Queensland Day
Queensland Day is officially celebrated on 6 June as the birthday of the Australian state of Queensland.
History
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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 | Allan Border AO
The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO John Curro AM MBE Lloyd McDermott (Mullenjaiwakka) Mal Meninga AM |
align=center | RSPCA Queensland | George Roberts | |
| 2015 | Dr Andrew Brice AM
Distinguished Professor James Dale AO FTSE Pat Fennell John (Jack) Gleeson AM KSG Robert MacPherson |
align=center | RSL (Queensland Branch) | Steve Irwin | |
| 2014 | Dr Sallyanne Atkinson AO
Fred Conway Dr Patrick Corrigan AM Professor Adele Green AC Win Schubert AO |
align=center | Endeavour Foundation | ||
| 2013 | Stefan Ackerie
Dr Dimity Dornan AO Tim Fairfax AC Professor G.Q. Max Lu FAA FTSE Herb Wharton |
align=center |Australian Red Cross Society | ||
| 2012 | Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO
Deborah Mailman Daphne Pirie AO MBE Sir Sydney Schubert Terry White AO |
align=center |Queensland Meals on Wheels | ||
| 2011 | Dr Betty Byrne Henderson AM
Dr George Chapman AO Graham Jackson OAM Wally Lewis AM Kerry O'Brien |
Queensland State Emergency Service | ||
| 2010 | The Honourable Mike Ahern AO
The Honourable Sir Llewellyn (Llew) Edwards AC Professor Michael Good AO Ruth Hegarty Dr James Edward (Eddie) Liu OBE OAM |
The University of Queensland (UQ) | ||
| 2009 | Philip Bacon AM
Bill Bristow AM Kevin (Kev) Carmody Dr Robyn Rodwell Anthony Ryan |
Blue Care | ||
| 2008 | Ian Brusasco AO
Pearl Duncun Matthew Hayden AM Professor Ross Homel AO Dr Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James AO |
Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) of Australia (Queensland section) | ||
| 2007 | Ashley Cooper AO
The Honourable Leneen Forde AC Doug Hall AM Emeritus Professor John Hay AC Sir Leo Hielscher AC |
Surf Life Saving Queensland | ||
| 2006 | Professor Ian Frazer AC
Dr Jim Kennedy AO CBE Greg Norman AO Dr Margaret Olley AC Geoffrey Rush AC |
Mater Misericordiae Health Service | ||
| 2005 | William (Bill) Brown OAM
Dr Tony Gould AM Patrick Terrence (Terry) Jackman AM Dr Aila Keto AO Rod Laver MBE |
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| 2004 | Professor Julie H Campbell AO
Hugh Cornish AM Dr Richard Lewandowski William Robinson AO Nicholas (Nick) Xynias AO BEM |
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| 2003 | Professor Peter Doherty AC
David Malouf AO Angelo Puglisi Dr Evelyn Scott AO Reginald Murray (R.M.) Williams AO CMG |
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| 2002 | Wayne Bennett AM
Dr Clem Jones AO Olga Miller Professor Lawrie Powell AC Professor David Tudehope AM |
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| 2001 | Dr Robert (Uncle Bob) Anderson OAM
Professor Joe Baker AO OBE Diane Cilento Sister Angela Mary Doyle AO Ted Smout OAM |
See also
References
- ^ "Queensland Greats Awards". Government of Queensland. Retrieved 5 October 2016.