State-shapers
Surf Lifesavers
1. Yungaba Immigration Centre
Built in 1885, Yungaba was the first port of call for immigrants to the colony of Queensland and was the first building protected on the Queensland's Heritage Register.
2. Steve Irwin
'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin, with his wife Terri and family, left a lasting legacy, raising awareness of the importance of wildlife and conservation issues through his international TV programs and Australia Zoo, founded by his parents in Beerwah, north of Brisbane.
3. Surf Lifesavers
On 21 February 1909, Queensland surf lifesavers rescued a group of young women in the first (recorded) rescue, at Greenmount Beach, Coolangatta. One hundred years later, Queensland surf lifesavers, sometimes using jet boats, inflatable rescue boats, wave runners and the occasional helicopter, are still there to protect the surf loving public.
4. Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Queensland's longest-serving Premier, Joh Bjelke-Petersen held office from 1968 to 1987, overseeing a period of major economic development of the State, but also one marked by a hardline approach to public protest and industrial action, and demolition of historic buildings including the Cloudland Ballroom and the Bellevue Hotel.
5. Sir Leslie Thiess
Patriarch Leslie Thiess led the family business from humble beginnings as road contractors on the Darling Downs in 1934 to one of Australia's largest mining, construction and civil engineering companies.
6. Founders of QANTAS
Wilmot Hudson Fysh met Paul McGuiness when they were both fighting in the Middle Eastern campaigns in World War One. They later joined Fergus McMaster and W Arthur Baird in establishing QANTAS in 1920.
7. Clem Jones
From 1961 to 1975, Brisbane changed forever under Lord Mayor Clem Jones, whose city council introduced town planning and massive development programs including improved drainage and widespread connection to sewerage, sealing of roads, public parks and gardens.
8. Eddie Mabo
Indigenous land rights campaigner, Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo, is famous for his role in the High Court of Australia's landmark decision in 1992 that overturned the concept of terra nullius.
9. State Emergency Service
Established in 1975, the volunteers of the State Emergency Service continue to help Queensland communities in times of emergency and disaster, often in the aftermath of floods, storms, cyclones and man made disasters.
10. John Flynn
The Presbyterian minister and aviator founded the world's first 'Flying Doctor', the Aerial Medical Service, which had its first official flight on 17 May 1928 from Cloncurry to Julia Creek in response to an emergency call. John Flynn is commemorated on the Australian $20 note.
11. Charles Kingsford Smith
Brisbane-born pioneering aviator Charles Kingsford Smith completed the first air crossing of the Pacific Ocean, from San Francisco to Brisbane, in 1928. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flight between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States.
12. James Cook
English explorer, navigator, cartographer and captain of the HMS Endeavour, Lieutenant James Cook was the first European to explore and map the east coast of Queensland in 1770, opening up the continent to European settlement with the First Fleet's arrival in Sydney in 1788.
13. Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland
Founded in 1860, the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland continues to promote and celebrate the agricultural excellence of the Darling Downs, including the Toowoomba Royal Show, the oldest such event in Queensland.
14. Isolated Children's Parents Association
A voluntary national parent body, the Isolated Children's Parents Association is dedicated to ensuring that all geographically isolated students have equality with their non-isolated peers to appropriate education.
15. Wayne Bennett
Broncos' inaugural coach, Wayne Bennett coached and mentored the Broncos to a record six premierships over 21 years - in 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2006. In 1994 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to rugby league, and in 2000 he received the Australian Sports Medal.
The inclusion of a person, event, invention or place on the Q150 icons list is not intended to offend or upset any individual member or groups of the public nor does it constitute an endorsement or affiliation by Q150, the State of Queensland, their officers, employees or agents with that person, event, invention, place, or any affiliated product or service.
Last reviewed 4 June 2009
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