Q150 TRAIN STEAMS INTO ROMA ON 19 AUGUST 2009 AS PART OF FINAL SECTOR
The Q150 Train steams into Roma tomorrow (19 August) at 3.15pm on the sixth and final sector of its five-month journey around Queensland with Maranoa Regional Council and Santos staging a party to remember, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
The Q150 Steam Train is presented by Santos and The University of Queensland.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Q150 Train steams into Roma tomorrow ( 19 August ) at 3.15pm on the sixth and final sector of its five-month journey around Queensland with Maranoa Regional Council and Santos staging a party to remember, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
The Q150 Steam Train is presented by Santos and The University of Queensland.
Premier Bligh said the expectant excitement of communities gearing up to welcome the Q150 Steam Train this one last time was huge.
“The Q150 Steam Train’s journey, the rock-star welcomes from communities along its path, the smiles on tiny faces, the happy memories coming back of times past for older people - has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Ms Bligh said.
“This year is all about celebrating our people, our places and our stories and it’s fantastic to see how Councils and communities have rallied around the Q150 Steam Train.
“The bar has been set high by many of the towns on the Q150 Steam Train’s journey so far.
“Roma is rising to the occasion with Council together with Santos showing community spirit by throwing a free Q150 Family Bush Dance for locals and Q150 Steam Train passengers alike at the Roma Cultural Centre.
“A tribute exhibit honouring Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen, wife of Queensland’s first Governor at the Cultural Centre will also be on show for two days from Wednesday 19 August while the Q150 Steam Train is in town.
Cr Robert Loughnan, Mayor of Maranoa Regional Council said there was a lot of excitement in the community around the Q150 Steam Train in Roma.
“Roma can bank on the Q150 Steam Train coming town,” he said. “It’s one of the most reliable services we’ve had in a long time.
“It’s a great cultural event recognising Queensland’s 150th anniversary and also Roma.
“The people of the Maranoa are very keen to see it and have a look at this remarkable piece of living history.”
He said it was also great to see some of the local corporate identities getting on board and supporting the community welcome and farewell of the train as they always do.
Once such corporate is Santos which is adding its own spice to the Q150 Steam train festivities in Roma where community activities include a free family bush dance at Roma Cultural Centre featuring popular bush band, Bullamakanka, on 19 August.
Q150’s community celebrations coincide with Santos’ most significant investment todate – the multi-billion dollar Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas ( GLNG® ) project – poised to become the first major international project to convert coal seam gas to Liquefied Natural Gas ( LNG ), and provide clean Australian energy to Asia.
Rick Wilkinson, President of GLNG and Queensland said Santos as one of Australia’s largest energy companies, was a proud supporter of the Q150 steam train’s historic journey.
"We're embracing the spirit of Queensland's 150th birthday by joining with communities along the train route to celebrate this milestone,” he said.
“In partnership with Maranoa Regional Council, we’re providing a program of free community events in Roma – where our employees live and work, from 19 to 20 August to welcome the Q150 Steam Train.”
The Q150 Steam Train leaves Roma at 10am on Thursday 20 August and heads for Charleville.
Ms Bligh said the welcome and farewells of the Q150 Steam Train were attracting more people than usual to railway stations and asked that everyone be mindful of safety.
“We want to encourage as many locals as possible to enjoy the celebratory activity, but remember safety comes first around railway lines,” she said.
“Queensland Rail are ensuring that the community is reminded of safety aspects in each of the towns the Q150 Steam Train travels to.
“This is a time for locals and passengers to enjoy and stay safe.”
The train began the first sector of its six sector, five-month journey around Queensland on 14 April when it departed from Roma Street Station in Brisbane. The journey ends at Ipswich historic rail workshop at 3.40pm on Sunday 30 August.
The Q150 Steam Train will have travelled to more than 30 locations around the State going as far north as Cairns, as far west as Quilpie and as far south as Wallangarra.
The Q150 Steam Train is presented by Santos and The University of Queensland and supported by media partners Network 10, Macquarie Southern Cross Media, APN Newspapers, Quest Community Newspapers and Triple M.
Media inquiries: 3224 4500
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