”It’s absolutely deadly to be here.”
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With those words pop singer Jessica Mauboy launched into her free live concert that captivated at least 6000 Mount Isans and tourists at the Isa Street Festival on Wednesday.
People claimed every vantage point on the closed streets of the CBD with the stage set up at the corner of Rodeo Dr and Camooweal St and Mauboy’s huge following lapped it all up with the Darwin-born singer having strong ancestral connections to the Isa.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” Mauboy said
“This is such a special concert for me.”
And with that she launched into her lively accompanied by her band, two back-up singers and loud whoops from the enthusiastic crowd of all ages.
The concert was a fitting end to a great night in Mount Isa.
The decision to end the Friday night Mardi Gras at Buchanan Park was widely criticised around town at the time but the new Wednesday night street parade was a great success once organisers got over a slight hiccup of parked cars on the highway blocking the parade route.
Starting from Camooweal St and heading onto Miles St via the highway, the colourful and energetic floats and parade walkers kept the huge crowds entertained as they headed down towards Isa St.
===> Check out our mega photo gallery from the night
Mayor Joyce McCulloch said it was great to see the street parade come back to the CBD after a gap of several years with very good participants.
“From Mount Isa City Council to all the participants in the street parade and of course the street festival who worked very hard to put it on, we thank you very much,” Cr McCulloch said.
“We also thank all the sponsors without which we wouldn’t be able to put on tonight.”
Cr McCulloch also mentioned “one lady from Council” who came up with the idea for the night.
“She came to me in October last year and said, ‘I’ve got a great idea for our state government drought funding, can we please bring Jessica Mauboy to Mount Isa’ and what a great idea that young lady came up with.” she said. The Mayor also announced the winners in the categories for the street parade.
Best School: St Paul’s Lutheran.
Best community group: Gecko Outdoor Sports
Best walking group: Mount Isa School of Dance
Best overall float: Healy P&C for their mini-street parade entry.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
