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.

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	RSPCA Queensland	George Roberts
2015	Dr Andrew Brice AM Distinguished Professor James Dale AO FTSE Pat Fennell John (Jack) Gleeson AM KSG Robert MacPherson	RSL (Queensland Branch)	Steve Irwin
2014	Dr Sallyanne Atkinson AO Fred Conway Dr Patrick Corrigan AM Professor Adele Green AC Win Schubert AO	Endeavour Foundation
2013	Stefan Ackerie Dr Dimity Dornan AO Tim Fairfax AC Professor G.Q. Max Lu FAA FTSE Herb Wharton	Australian Red Cross Society
2012	Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO Deborah Mailman Daphne Pirie AO MBE Sir Sydney Schubert Terry White AO	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
2004	Professor Julie H Campbell AO Hugh Cornish AM Dr Richard Lewandowski William Robinson AO Nicholas (Nick) Xynias AO BEM
2003	Professor Peter Doherty AC David Malouf AO Angelo Puglisi Dr Evelyn Scott AO Reginald Murray (R.M.) Williams AO CMG
2002	Wayne Bennett AM Dr Clem Jones AO Olga Miller Professor Lawrie Powell AC Professor David Tudehope AM
2001	Dr Robert (Uncle Bob) Anderson OAM Professor Joe Baker AO OBE Diane Cilento Sister Angela Mary Doyle AO Ted Smout OAM

See also

• History of Queensland
• https://www.qld.gov.au/about/events-awards-honours/events/queensland-week/

References

• Queensland Government's History of Queensland Day
• Official Queensland Week Website