Celebrating Q150
The State Library of Queensland is helping celebrate Q150, the 150th anniversary of Queensland's independence from New South Wales on 10 December 2009.
Check out Queensland's favourite icons
Panoramic Queensland
The John Oxley Library's Collection of panoramic photographs provides a timely view of how the landscape has changed during the past 150 years. See Brisbane as it was in 1862. Marvel at the romance and engineering of the first permanent Victoria Bridge, built in 1874. Chart the cultural development of Brisbane River's South Bank through a series of panoramas. The exhibition also includes panoramic photographs from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Ayr, Caloundra and Coolangatta.
View the virtual exhibition.
Bold but faithful: John Oxley Library at work
Celebrating 75 years of preserving Queensland's heritage, Bold but Faithful uncovers more than 40 of Queensland's treasures from the John Oxley Library collection. Items on display include Captain William Bligh's transcript of the official log from the HMS Providence and a ceremonial sword belonging to Queensland's first Governor.
At our table
What does Queensland taste like? Be a guest At Our Table as Queensland celebrates its rich food history and traditions with events in 10 unique locations across the State. From August to November a variety of Queensland communities will explore their cultural influences on the growing, making and sharing of food when they host At Our Table.
Join chefs, cultural leaders, speakers and local identities when At Our Table maps a culturally diverse food trail across Queensland to discover each region's distinct flavour – a taste of the outback in Longreach; a farmer's garden in Toowoomba or a community feast in Mackay bringing together the South Sea Islander and Maltese food traditions. Events will also occur in Cairns, Darnley Island, Normanton, Ingham, Noosa, Stradbroke Island and the Granite Belt.
Through a gathering of people around their communities' table: be it a picnic blanket, a kitchen setting, community feast or white linen table cloth in a restaurant, At Our Table will unearth the recipes close to our hearts and evoke the distinctive landscapes, identities and stories of our State.
All Queenslanders can experience the collection of food stories, traditions, recipes and conversations on the website as At Our Table moves across the State. This virtual Queensland Cookbook is also an opportunity for people to share their own food history and contribute to the legacy of this project and the Q150 celebrations.
When: Aug-Nov 2009
Where: 10 communities across Queensland
Visit At Our Table for more information.
Becoming Queensland: the first 50 years
Becoming Queensland is a virtual exhibition exploring our state's first fifty years as a dynamic "work in progress". Stories about the people, places, institutions and lifestyles that have made our state special are woven around the themes of Hope, Taking Shape, Queensland Style and Turning 50.
As the stories unfold, we move back and forth between the Queensland of bygone days and today. We see beautiful things that intrigue and amaze. We learn why they are important in our history and why they were chosen from thousands of other items in the State Library of Queensland's Heritage Collections. There are also digital stories and suggestions for activities.
This exhibition is an exciting collaboration between the State Library's historian-in-residence and Griffith University Professor Anna Haebich and staff in Heritage Collections who selected items of special meaning to them for the exhibition.
When: July-Dec 2009
View the virtual exhibition
White Gloves Tour - treasures from the John Oxley Library Collection
As part of the John Oxley Library's 75th anniversary celebrations, a selection of treasures from the 
Collection will tour throughout Queensland. This immersive and authentic experience of Queensland's heritage is the first ever, state-wide tour of original, historic treasures from the John Oxley Library. See rare and important items up close from the State's and local heritage. Hear the stories behind the treasures and learn about the long-term preservation. Don the white gloves to feel and inspect the valuable items yourself.
When: Apr-Nov 2009
Where: Townsville, Charters Towers, Mackay, Proserpine, Cairns, Mossman, Atherton, Mount Isa, Barcaldine, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Redcliffe and other locations in south east Queensland
View information about upcoming tours.
Storylines - Q150 digital stories
The State Library of Queensland presents Storylines which captures Queensland's unique stories and shares them with the world. These 2–3 minute snapshots document and celebrate Queensland’s distinctive identity – from 'state-shapers' to everyday 'champions'; from iconic locations to neighbourhood memories.
Created by both professional filmmakers and members of the community, digital stories are personal narratives focused around a central idea or topic. Stories are told by combining images, music, spoken narrative and video.
Members of the public are invited to participate in Storylines by attending a digital storytelling workshop or a screening of new Q150 digital stories in their local area.
Last updated: 20th October 2009
Creatively linking Queenslanders to information, knowledge and each other
