By HARRY CLARKE | EXCLUSIVE
THE next instalments of three iconic tourism and community events on the Western Downs have been secured thanks to a $300,000 investment by the Queensland Government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had announced the government would contribute $100,000 towards the next biennial Chinchilla Melon Festival when she attended the event in February.
And during a visit to the Western Downs Regional Council’s headquarters in Dalby last week Palaszczuk formalised a commitment to match the funding for Tara’s Festival of Culture and Camel Races and Miles’s Back to the Bush Festival.
“I’m pleased to have been able to visit the region recently and to show my government’s support for the community with the funding of the Tara Festival of Culture & Camel Races and Miles Back to Bush festivals,” Palaszczuk said.
“Festivals like these play an important role in helping bring the community together. They also bring thousands of people into the region to highlight the best of what outback Queensland has to offer.”
Western Downs mayor Paul McVeigh said he was delighted the Queensland Government would contribute vital funds to the region’s premier tourism events.
“The Premier recently announced $100,000 for the Chinchilla Melon Festival, and it’s great to see the support has continued with the Premier advising that $100,000 has also been contributed to the Tara Festival of Culture & Camel Races and Miles Back to the Bush respectively,” McVeigh said.
“These high-profile events were established by hard-working volunteers and have grown considerably over time.
“These events are so important to the social connectivity of our region, and also serve as a huge economic driver with thousands of travellers attending these iconic events from right across the country.
“It’s vital these community-driven events continue to be supported, and I thank the Premier for recognising the value of these festivals to our region, and to the people of Queensland.”
WATCH: Country Caller’s coverage of the 2023 Chinchilla Melon Festival
