Queensland Day
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Queensland Day is officially celebrated as the birthday of the Australian state of Queensland.
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[edit] History
Towards statehood began with a public meeting in 1851 to consider separation 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 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 July 20, Queensland was informed that Sir George Ferguson Bowen would be the State's first Governor. Celebrations resumed with fireworks, cannon fires, flag raisings and the sound of gun shots.
On 10 December 1859, Governor Bowen arrived in Brisbane to a civic reception in the Botanic Gardens. He officially marked the historic occasion of Statehood by reading a proclamation from the verandah of the Deanery of St. John's Cathedral.
[edit] Queenslander of the Year
Since 1981 Queensland Day has been celebrated as the official birthday. Celebrations provide an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of Queenslanders with "Queenslander of the Year" and "Young Queenslander of the Year" awards.
| Year | Queenslander of the Year | Young Queenslander of the Year | Community Spirit Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Graeme Wood | Homa Forotan | Karen Bartlett |
| 2007 | Professor Matthew Sanders | Lars Olsen | Jess Wellard, Alexandra Gasteen, Greg Nelson |
| 2006 | Professor Ian Frazer | Leisel Jones OAM | Shenee Lea Geerin |
| 2005 | Dr Geoff Hill | Alen-Igor O'Hran | |
| 2004 | Dr Chris Sarra | Leisl Packer | |
| 2003 | Professor Alan Mackay-Sim | Alice Chang-Douglas | |
| 2002 | John Eales AM | Danielle Begg | |
| 2001 | Lloyd Hancock | Mark Farrell-Nikenbah | |
| 2000 | Dr Aila Keto AO | James Moody | |
| 1999 | Marjorie (Margot) Appleyard | Petros Khalesirad | |
| 1998 | Betty Byrne Henderson AM | Tiffany Dudman | |
| 1997 | Cedric Johnson AM | Perry Cross | |
| 1996 | Christina Yeomans OAM | Tarita Botsman and Michael Kasprowicz | |
| 1995 | Dr Cherrell Hirst AO | Nicholas Gerathy | |
| 1994 | Allan Border AO | Lana Higson | |
| 1993 | Mary Lowe AM | John McColl and Kylie Buchanan | |
| 1992 | Graham Jenkinson AM | Danae Sweetapple | |
| 1991 | Leneen Forde AC DStJ | Roger Lord | |
| 1990 | Dr Clem Jones AO | Aaron Maree | |
| 1989 | Sister Angela Mary Doyle AO | Joanne Hein | |
| 1988 | Sir Llewellyn Edwards AC | ||
| 1987 | Rev. Canon John Warby OAM | ||
| 1986 | Dr Russell Strong AL | ||
| 1985 | Iris Buntine OAM BEM | ||
| 1984 | Ron Grant OAM | ||
| 1983 | Sir Edward Williams KBE KCMG | ||
| 1982 | Robin Gibson | ||
| 1981 | Lady Diane Cilento |
