By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) received and noted the minutes of the Stanthorpe 150th Anniversary Celebration Advisory Committee (S150ACAC) Meeting at last week’s Ordinary Council Meeting.
The S150ACAC meeting was held on 1 March 2022.
The purpose of the S150ACAC is to provide SDRC with strategic guidance and/or recommendations in relation to projects, activities and events for the Stanthorpe 150th Anniversary Celebration program; how these might be funded and the extent of SDRC’s involvement, including staff resources.
Michael Bell highlighted that work is underway in relation to the production and installation of skins for the billboards at the northern and southern entrances to Stanthorpe to promote S150.
He also stated that inquiries were made about Variable Messaging Signage (VMS) boards. However, with the quote at $50/day per board, the cost of two boards for any length of time would make this option unviable.
Mr Bell reiterated that there just needs to be continued encouragement from SDRC and the S150ACAC members to community event organisers to seek permission to use the S150 logo and to submit their events via the Southern Downs & Granite Belt – Stanthorpe 150 events page.
Jim Barnes reported that the Rotary Club of Stanthorpe has progressed both the S150 window decals and mugs and brought a sample of each to show members. Mr Barnes indicated that he would visit businesses in town this week to sell the window decals in the hope that they would display these in their windows. Rotary is yet to work out its plans to sell the mugs. The cost for a mug is $12.50 and $10.00 for a window decal.
In the SDRC meeting, Cr Stephen Tancred proudly flaunted his mug and a decal on his laptop.
Mary Findlay indicated that the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery is still planning to get a supply of “tin” mugs produced with both the S150 logo and their own 150 logos printed on each side.
Cr Cameron Gow invited Michael Bell to address the committee regarding the budget during the meeting. Mr Bell noted that the $20,000 allocated in SDRC’s 2021/2022 operational budget is largely fully committed to SDRC’s S150 event, marketing and promotion (including the billboards).
Peter Watters reported that he would touch base again with the Granite Belt Growers Association (GBGA) after the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival about planning an event for later in the year around apple blossom time, perhaps October.
Mayor Vic Pennisi gave an update on Italian events including an Italian art exhibition, an Italian versus Australian soccer match, and a possible display of Ferraris and Vespas.
Teena Wilcock highlighted the challenge in trying to get individual sections of the Show to do something to promote and celebrate the S150, with a lack of interest and enthusiasm around recognising the S150.Mrs Wilcock noted that some of the Show Society members have indicated that it is only four years until their 150th anniversary so they’ll wait and do something big for that. Mrs Wilcock undertook to promote the S150 through the Show Society as much as she can.
Cr Gow reported that Football Stanthorpe has decided to delay the start of their season so that it does not clash with the Stanthorpe Show weekend in April.
Jim Barnes gave an update on the Zonta Club of Stanthorpe’s “Remarkable Women” project, which will no longer be a wall but interpretative signs to be installed in the Zonta Rose Garden.
Jim also gave an update on the Steam Train Market Day event, to be held on 14 May 2022 at the Stanthorpe Railway precinct. Locals are encouraged to make a costume out of everyday clothes. There will be a soup kitchen and market stalls. Signs about the history of the station will be unveiled and the Steam Train will stop for 45 minutes longer than normal for the event.
Danielle Hannigan reported that the Stanthorpe Primary School is planning a Teaching and Learning in the 1870s day, and S150ACACA is in contact with other schools.
Cr Gow advised that he had been contacted by local resident, Helen Gibson about a close friend. Bill Kitson, a retired Surveyor for the Queensland Government who worked throughout the Granite Belt and has an interest in history and in the S150 celebrations. Mr Kitson has information in relation to Stanthorpe and its history, specifically Robert’s Tree which has a shield carved into the trunk and is linked to the early surveyor history here. The tree is reported to have died a year or so ago and has fallen to the ground, and Mr Kitson is liaising with the Historical Society and Departmental Officers to retrieve this section of the tree trunk that contains the shield for preservation and historic value. There was also a book referenced – “Bench Marks and Boundaries” by John H Meek – which includes surveying history for Stanthorpe. Cr Gow will contact Mr Kitson to see where he is up to in relation to the tree and how that may be involved in the S150 celebrations. If Mr Kitson wants to be involved, Cr Gow will invite him to attend the S150 celebrations on the weekend of 14 and 15 May.
