 Paddlers and enthusiasts from across Queensland have come together to compete and have fun in a region not most known for aquatic sports – Longreach.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner visited the event yesterday (Saturday) and praised organisers for a great event. “In the Year of Outback Tourism the Longreach community has shown everyone they know how to have a good time and that this is a great place to visit,” Mr Furner said. “I hope thousands of Queenslanders will see the images of this event and come to Longreach to see for themselves.” The Outback Paddle Regatta Festival featured a series of races, as well as a charity duck race that will seem familiar to many. Some 600 ducks, previously used for events in the Brisbane River, were donated for the event by the PA Research Foundation. Funds raised will support cancer research. “Longreach’s commitment to this cause is a great example of the spirit that exists in Queensland’s outback,” Mr Furner said. “Queensland’s outback has been doing it tough with drought and other weather events, and visiting those regions is a terrific way all Queenslanders can support them.” The Year of Outback Tourism as announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk late last year, including a $3 million events program to help outback communities suffering from drought conditions. This week in Parliament the Premier announced another 15 events would be funded under the program, including the Curry Merry Muster Festival in Cloncurry and The Outback Food, Wine and Music Festival in Longreach. Applications for round three funding close on November 4. Visit https://events.premiers.qld.gov.au/outback |