OutbackQueensland – featuring Quilpie, Windorah, Cunnamulla and Camooweal

Did you know 2019 was named Queensland’s Year of Outback Tourism? Visitors and tourists were encouraged to travel to events and different locations to experience outback Queensland. In response to the State Government’s #outbacktourism initiative, State Library of Queensland joined in the spirit, shining the spotlight on collections celebrating the outback regions of Queensland.

In 2002 photojournalist John Immig travelled west, taking images of streetscapes and buildings in regional towns including Windorah, Dirranbandi, Cunnamulla and more. The images showcase a different perspective and representation of the recent past.

In the image above John Immig captured a logo that fits the tourism bill today – “There is no place like this place anywhere near this place---so this must be THE PLACE.” Can you guess which town in Queensland?

The John Immig Collection is extensive. Several are displayed on the library’s catalogue One Search. Have you seen the sign and stopped in Cunnamulla to buy a drink or icecream!

Another collection featuring #outbackqueensland is Storylines: Q150 digital stories representing different aspects of people’s lives and experiences in Queensland.

They were recorded in 2009 as part of the state’s sesquicentenary (150 yrs) celebration. The digital stories capture different lifestyles, experiences and events bringing people together.

We encourage you to enjoy this selection:  

• In her digital story Deb Symes describes her personal experience taking a road journey to outback Queensland in Just dull brown dirt;
• Pinky Johnson relates the Winton experience during the making of the film The Proposition (2004);
• Peter Barber of Surat talks about life on the land and his passion for horse sports and competition;
• Chinchilla melon festival takes places every 2 years inviting community spirit and fun for the family;
• Living in Quilpie by Ben Hall;
• Barry Port was a policeman for 28 years in 2009. In this story he talks about learning to track from his father, looking for lost people, cattle and horses around Coen;
• Tony Mawhinney was once head stockmen, and rodeo competitor - by 2009 he was a trainer with the Australian Agricultural College Corporation (AACC);
• Local identities retell their experience of the min-min light in the Boulia district;
• Paddy Shephard’s family had lived on Lochinvar Station on Cape York for more than 100 years (2009);
• Dr Tommy George, elder of the Kuku Thaypan clan was influential in establishing the Laura Dance Festival. 

More information on Q150 Queensland icons
Source: Wikipedia contributors. (2018, October 15). List of Queensland's Q150 Icons. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:25, May 22, 2019.

Anne Scheu | Engagement Officer | Queensland Memory | State Library of Queensland