About Queensland Week

Katie Noonan
2008 Queensland Week ambassador

RACQ Big BBQ
Queensland Week

Queensland Week is celebrated across the state to showcase our people, places and achievements.

Each year, a range of diverse activities are held that involve families, businesses and a range of community and social groups throughout Queensland.

The week derived from the celebration of Queensland Day, which is held each year on 6 June.

Queensland songstress Katie Noonan, the co-lead singer of critically acclaimed Brisbane band george, was the 2008 Queensland Week ambassador.

Queensland Day

Queensland Day commemorates the day that Queen Victoria signed Letters Patent separating Queensland from the colony of New South Wales.

Moves towards statehood began with a public meeting in 1851 to consider separation from New South Wales. As the push for separation gained momentum, Queen Victoria was approached to consider establishing a separate colony based at Moreton Bay. The Queen gave her approval and signed the Letters Patent on 6 June 1859.

On the same day an Order-in-Council gave Queensland its own Constitution. Queensland became a self-governing colony with its own Governor, a nominated Legislative Council and an elected Legislative.

With the word 'Separation' painted on its hull, the ship 'Clarence' sailed into Brisbane on the 10 July 1859 to be greeted by a jubilant crowd eagerly awaiting the news of separation. 'Clarence' was welcomed with a 14-gun salute, a 'blue light' display and fireworks.

On July 20 1859, Queensland was informed that Sir George Ferguson Bowen be the state's first Governor. Celebrations resumed with fireworks, cannon fires, flag raisings and the sound of gun shots.

On 10 December 1859, Governor Bowen arrived in Brisbane to a civic reception in the Botanic Gardens. He officially marked the historic occasion of Statehood by reading a proclamation from the veranda of the Deanery of St John's Cathedral.

Interested to know more about Queensland? Read our Queensland facts and stats (.doc, 30 kb) or visit the websites listed below.

Queensland history and heritage

These websites have more information on Queensland history and heritage.

Queensland Week is proudly supported by our sponsors: