What a great show week we had. 

This year was a made more special with the C150 Steam train that rolled into town on Thursday June 15 to much excitement and fanfare. 

Along with a number of special guests and visitors, the train brought items of significance from each of our neighbouring towns along the Overlander’s Way from Townsville to Mount Isa.

Thursday night was another great evening at the Cattleman’s Dinner celebrating the pastoral industry in Cloncurry.

The show then kicked off on Friday and following on Saturday with lots of entertainment and displays.

I commend the hard work and dedication of the show committee and stewards, and the great support of sponsors, in putting on such a successful event.

Everyone will agree, the crowd was great and the entertainment did not disappoint, understanding why it is recognised as the ‘Biggest and the Best in the West’.

I was honoured that His Excellency, the Governor General accepted my invitation to visit Cloncurry and the North West. 

Sir Peter, was embraced by the community at a Civic Reception at John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery where he spoke personally to our local Army Cadets. 

Saturday he attended a junior soccer game, inspected the cattle, horse and poultry sections at the Cloncurry and District Show. 

Sir Peter presented local SES controller Larry Hartig with a Governor General award for service.

I believe Sir Peter really enjoyed his visit and Cloncurry definitely lived up to our claim of being ‘The Friendly Heart of the Great North West’.

Special guests also included 25 kids and teachers from Dajarra who made the trip to Cloncurry to ride on the C150 Steam Train and the attend the show.

I look forward to seeing some more detail about what Cloncurry will receive out of the State Budget.

The Cloncurry shire contributes a couple of hundred million dollars in Royalties each year as well as supporting thousands of jobs from the mining sector alone.

The State Government has credited the MMG Limited Dugald River Project with ‘Prescribed Project’ status. 

As well as this Cloncurry Shire is a major beef producer and critical transport hub, so the state needs to support the area by ensuring the infrastructure investment is large enough to maintain growth. 

Townsville and Brisbane rely heavily on the wealth and jobs created from Cloncurry and the North West. Investment in Road, Rail, Power and Water assets is critical to ensure ongoing prosperity. 

Look forward to seeing you out and about.

Greg