Quilpie Shire Council, Media Release, 3 June 2022
Last night, Thursday June 2, Quilpie Shire lit the way for Outback Queensland by staging special Platinum Jubilee celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth II at the spectacular Baldy Top lookout.
The red earth of the renowned tourist destination turned purple as special purple coloured lights and fireworks were lit, along with several huge bonfires. More than 250 locals and tourists alike gathered to pay respect to the Queen for her Jubilee.
“Purple beacons are being lit across the globe to honour the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee, however we decided to add a quintessential Outback Australian touch with several beautiful big fire bonfires. Along with the bonfire flames lighting things up we had purple lighting and purple fireworks to add a lovely mauve hue to everything. The natural surrounds were a stunning backdrop for a special celebration in the heart of Outback Queensland. We believe that we’re the only Outback Queensland community recognising the Queen’s special Jubilee with our own version of the purple beacon,” said Karen Grimm, Quilpie Shire Council Tourism Officer.
Proud Royalist, Quilpie Shire Councillor Lyn Barnes was one of the key organisers of the special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, working with Council staff to put together a program that included a solo violin performance from Quilpie local Lauren Park, a welcome from Lyn along with singing including the Australian National Anthem, The Song for the Commonwealth and A Life Filled with Grace.
“The Queen has been an absolutely wonderful example to us all and it was an honour to represent Quilpie in staging our own unique celebrations for her big Jubilee. In 2012 we marked the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee with a special edition of the Quilpie Digger Race Club Quilpie Cup, and awarded the fashions in the field best hat with a single carat diamond. Back then we received a beautiful letter from Buckingham Palace in which the Queen thanked us for recognising that milestone occasion with our special race day. Perhaps word of our bonfire and purple lights and fireworks might reach her this time,” said Lyn Barnes.
The evening ended with purple fireworks setting the evening sky alight in explosive purple, and was also attended by a bus full of local seniors from Quilpie’s Gyrica Gardens retirement village and some of Quilpie’s oldest residents including 92 yo Marie Paulsen who has strong memories of the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
