Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council yesterday launched its 2018 Centenary celebrations with a number of dignitaries travelling to the Island community for the 100 year milestone.
Minister for Local Government, Stirling Hinchliffe and Assistant Minister for Treasury, Glenn Butcher, attended the event, taking the opportunity to announce a $235,000 State Government contribution towards the celebrations.
Hundreds of the local community gathered to be a part of the celebrations, which also included the official opening of the redeveloped Coolgaree Bay Foreshore, officiated by Mayor Alf Lacey.
Throughout the year, the Palm Island community will host a series of events focusing on three themes – the island’s past, its present and its future - to mark the 100 year milestone. Palm Island’s key centenary events include:
• ‘Past’ event on 10 March 2018 (Palm Island Hall of Fame, artefact exhibition and a community re-enactment)
• ‘Present’ event on 20–22 April (‘Deadly Didge ‘n’ Dance Festival’)
• ‘Future’ event 8–10 June (sustainability/careers expo, sports carnival and time capsule burial)
Palm Island has a unique and compelling history that adds to the richness and diversity of the Townsville North Queensland region. The Island community has an array of untapped cultural, natural and historical assets that much of the North Queensland region is yet to realise. We encourage the Townsville and North Queensland community to be a part of these historically significant events and experience the rich culture of one of Townsville’s closest neighbours.
