BRIEF EST: 1991 EST: 1997

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1 2017 BRIEF EST: 1991 EST:

2 PURCHASE OF LAND FOR MAIN STREET ENTRY TO THE WORKERS HERITAGE CENTRE The Australian Workers Heritage Centre has recently purchased a (1) acre block to add to the (5) acre parcel of land our Centre is currently located on. The acquisition of the block of land is strategic in gaining main street frontage to our site. Plans are for a new main street entrance building to be located on this land which will position our Centre directly on the Capricorn Highway travelling east to west, diagonally opposite the cross road corridor to the North and in very close proximity to the Landsborough (Matilda) Highway from the south. The Workers Heritage Centre currently has a submission with the Queensland Government amongst which includes the building of a new purpose built Entrance Building to contain (4) income producing businesses including a Cafe / Restaurant Retail Outlet / Gift Shop Dedicated space for a Tourist Operator Theatrette/ Conference and Meeting Room The new entrance Building will also feature an introduction audio / visual presentation providing an overview of the Centre's message and exhibitions. The construction of the new purpose designed building with Main street frontage coupled with highway exposure will increase visitor numbers and generate a much higher increase in retail spend as a result of the upgrading and extension of visitor services in the new entrance building. The increased visitor numbers will have direct flow on economic benefits to the immediate Barcaldine community and our region overall. In encouraging visitors to spend more time in Barcaldine this will increase spend in a range of other businesses including accommodation providers, fuel, hospitality and other tourist attractions. 2

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5 The Australian Workers Heritage Centre & Wanpa-rda Matilda Outback Education Centre EST: 1991 EST: 1997 'WORKING FOR HEALTH' DISPLAY Our new exhibition (pictured below) titled 'Working for Health' opened last October, and has been an excellent drawcard for visitors this season. The exhibition honours and celebrates the outstanding contributions made by our dedicated health workers, who in the past, the present and the future, will continue to deliver a world class health system for the benefit of all Australians. The 'Working for Health' Exhibition showcases a film titled "Iningai Dreaming'. The film explores the historical significance of the indigenous medicine man, bush medicine in general and the future role of bush medicines in the wider community. These ancient wisdoms have turned full circle and will now and in the future provide valuable medical relief for the benefit of the broader community. The film was commissioned by the Australian Workers Heritage Centre and features members of the local Central Western Queensland Aboriginal Corporation. A separate education room (left) for students is included within the display / exhibition, ensuring an enjoyable learning experience for the whole family. 5

6 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2017 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR PROFESSOR ALAN MACKAY SIM FEATURED IN OUR NEW 'WORKING FOR HEALTH EXHIBITION' Queensland's Alan Mackay Sim was named Australian of the Year on Australia Day 2017, for his work with nasal stem cells. Director of the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research at Griffith University before his retirement in 2015, he led a clinical trial in which nasal stem cells taken from people with paraplegia from traumatic spinal cord injury were transplanted into their injured spinal cords. While this work has not itself led to the regeneration of injured spinal cords, it has shown that transplanting of nasal stem cells is both possible and safe and has paved the way for other work on stem cell transplantation. A MODEST HERO OF MEDICAL SCIENCE Alan Mackay Sim has had personal experience of stem cell therapy. He suffers from multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells, and was treated with transplanted stem cells as well as with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The chemotherapy leading up to the transplant caused him to lose 23kg in weight and 9cm in height. As Australian of the Year, he is a lobbyist for greater spending on medical research, particularly neuroscience and the study of rare brain diseases, conditions and injuries. He argues that just as Australian needs a defence force, it needs a fantastic health system, as part of a fantastic science base on which to build the economy and improve the health of Australians. 6

7 QUEENSLAND AMBULANCE SERVICES The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is celebrating a significant milestone this year, with 2017 marking 125 years since ambulance services began in Queensland. Ambulance Week is marked each year in September and the Workers Heritage Centre is pleased to host members of the Central West Local Ambulance Service Network and invited guests for Anniversary celebrations on our site. The Barcaldine Ambulance (above), which has been featured in our Emergency Services Display for the past few years, was recently transported to Brisbane where it undertook full restoration works bringing it back to its original condition. The Barcaldine Ambulance is now back on our site and will continue to be used in our display. The Ambulance will also be utilised in travelling displays and special events to promote and highlight the extraordinary dedication of our paramedic workers in their service to our communities. 7

8 ON-SITE WORKS & UPGRADES An extensive array of solar panels generating power for the site s needs have been fitted above the new displays in Block B. A local electrical contractor was engaged to undertake these major works which were totally undertaken and installed by our local workforce. This impressive facility is now fully operational, reducing power bills and allowing the welcome use of air-conditioning in several of the Centre s display areas. New shade structures have now been installed over the billabong deck and adjoining the entrance building, in addition to the new covered barbeque area and seating. These improvements in comfort to our outdoor facilities have been welcomed by visitors to the Centre, enhancing the whole experience for locals and travellers alike. 8

9 WANPA-RDA MATILDA OUTBACK EDUCATION CENTRE Bringing Education to Life in Australia's Biggest Classroom! 'Wanpa-rda Matilda - our onsite outback education and excursion centre continues to host school groups in our region for up to five days at a time for their annual school camps. August is currently a busy month, with a school group presently onsite from Gladstone State School. We have a school group visiting from Woorabinda State School and a school group from Emerald North State School later in the month. 'Wanpa-rda Matilda' continues to actively promote educational tourism in our region, and the centre's ideal location provides the perfect 'base camp' for students to visit educational attractions and explore iconic sites and experience first-hand the history and environment of outback Queensland. The Australian Workers Heritage Centre also provides an excellent backdrop for unique educational opportunities, right on Wanpa-rda's doorstep. Our onsite teacher delivers programs aligned to Australian National Curriculum. Students can participate in Australian heritage and history themed activities, leadership and team building, indigenous culture studies, orienteering, archery and astronomy. The Outback Survivor' Program continues to be popular with students. In groups, students have to challenge the elements and develop real solutions in order to 'survive'. This program encompasses an element of positive competitiveness and requires students to work as a team and engage higher order problem solving skills in order to succeed. 9

10 The teacher at Wanpa-rda also delivers educational Quiz Tours for school touring groups choosing day visits to the Australian Workers Heritage Centre. Armed with a site map of the Centre, students are tasked to use their map reading skills and head off in their tribes to find the answers to their quiz tour questions, which they discover hidden within the exhibitions and displays onsite. We recently hosted a school group of 110 students from A. B. Paterson College, and have school groups this month visiting from Bulimba State School and Emmanuel College. 10

11 SPONSORSHIP This year we have been fortunate to attract sponsorship which will assist towards the refurbishment of our ablutions block and Resource Centre at Wanpa-rda Matilda. These necessary works will ensure our facilities continue to be upgraded with visitor comfort utmost in mind, and are in keeping with the increased usage of our outback education centre by schools and community groups. The Australian Workers Heritage Centre was also successful in obtaining sponsorship towards establishing a reading room in our Retail/Entrance Building for the enjoyment of tourists and local residents to browse through the selection of books we have on sale. The grant will enable us to also purchase display fixtures to showcase the literature on offer and further include the secure placement of historical memorabilia and items of interest to highlight and promote the reading material. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP Our Centre s sole source of operational income is derived from sales through our Retail Outlet, Admission Fees, Membership and Donations. Our Associate Membership numbers continue to grow each year which is very positive, and our supporter base is varied; coming from individuals, families, community groups, trade unions and the corporate sector. We are very appreciative and acknowledge this ongoing assistance is invaluable in the continuing viability and future development of our Centre. On behalf of our Board of Management and Staff we wish to extend our gratitude to you for your support for outback tourism and our region and look forward to our continuing association. Warm regards, Bob Gleeson, CEO The Australian Workers Heritage Centre Wanpa-rda Matilda Outback Education Centre 11