Quilpie Shire Council, Media Release, 3 May 2023
While thousands of people across the UK are expected to gather around large screens in bustling city locations to celebrate the Coronation of his Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the Queensland Outback Quilpie locals will celebrate in true Aussie style with a large scale bonfire that will be coloured a Royal red for the occasion and fireworks lighting up the crisp Autumn night at Baldy Top look out.
Locals and visitors to Quilpie Shire have been invited to come together this Saturday May 6 from 5.30pm at the spectacular Baldy Top lookout where the Coronation celebrations will take place against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset that only the Outback can deliver.
The night will finish with a bang when the outback skies are peppered with a firework display to celebrate Australia’s new King.
Nearly twelve months ago in June 2022 Quilpie also hosted special Platinum Jubilee Celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth II at Baldy Top – turning the red earth of the renowned lookout purple. More than 250 people turned out for this event to pay respect for the Queen on her jubilee and it’s hoped the celebrations for new King Charles will draw a similar number.
Reflecting King Charles’ great love of classical music, background music of celebratory classical music by British composers from Elgar and Coleridge-Taylor, to Handel and Holst will be streamed in the background of the Quilpie Coronation Celebrations at Baldy Top – with all attendees also invited to sing the Australian National Anthem.
“Zadok The Priest” composed by George Frideric Handel for King George II has been played at every Coronation since, and will be played at Baldy Top on Saturday evening.
“The natural majesty of Baldy Top makes it the ideal spot to come together to celebrate another Royal milestone. We believe we’re once again the only region in Outback Queensland marking the occasion – and we’re proud to be staging a very Aussie party for our newly minted King,” said Quilpie Shire Councillor Lyn Barnes who was one of the key organisers of the special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and is now driving the upcoming celebrations for King Charles III.
“Time and time again on trips to Australia King Charles has shown his love of the Australian Outback, and he has chosen an Australian built Diamond Jubilee State Coach horse-drawn carriage for his journey to Westminster Abbey, so we’re sure he would approve of our unique way of marking this momentous occasion for him. We’re a region with a proud history of wool production – and we know that King Charles is a huge advocate for sustainable fashion and in particular use of wool. Who knows, we may even send him some of our new Quilpie wool socks which are 100% Australian made using Australian wool. They’re a nice vibrant orange – reflective of the red orange earth of our region. They’d really brighten up the King’s dapper wardrobe,” added a tongue in cheek Lyn Barnes.
“We’re always looking for ways to bring together our tight knit community, and give visitors the opportunity to feel a warm welcome from Quilpie – or an additional reason to come visit us. We’re renowned as one of the friendliest towns in Outback Queensland – and I think these events play a part in allowing visitors to experience our hospitality and beautiful natural landscape. Baldy Top is such a stunning outdoor venue, and these smaller events will be a great prelude leading into the upcoming Opera Queensland Lady Sings the Maroons later this month and another Opera performance of Mirusia Under the Stars in August at the lookout,” said Lisa Hamlyn, Director of Corporate & Community Services at Quilpie Shire Council.
Quilpie’s oldest resident 93yo Marie Paulsen has strong memories of the Queen’s coronation in 1953 and celebrated her Jubilee out at Baldy Top. Marie is thrilled to also be marking the King’s Coronation at Badly Top Lookout.
“There’s probably not that many of us who have witnessed two Coronations in a lifetime. I still vividly remember the Queen’s Coronation as I was only a few years younger than her, and it was exciting to be welcoming such a beautiful, young Queen. It’s wonderful to now be seeing the new King’s Coronation – he has big shoes to fill,” said Marie Paulsen.
Attendees to the Baldy Top Coronation event have been invited to BYO nibbles and drinks and a camp chair, with the bon fire and fireworks staged by Quilpie Shire Council.
