I received a radio station profile yesterday. Part of the presentation
listed Rockhamptons main industry as “grazing”. I assume they meant
cattle grazing. The beef industry is a major industry of Rockhampton.
However our Beef Capital of Australia tag does lead to some interesting
perceptions of Rockhampton being created – cattle grazing in each
backyard!! Here’s my aspiration for our city. Rockhampton already boasts
some great champions, arguably one of the greatest – Rod Laver. Imagine
the perceptions that would be created of a city tagged as “home of
Australias’ Next Champions”.
The direct flight from Singapore was landing as scheduled. The
destination read Central Queensland International Airport, the passenger
remembered it as Raglan. The town had certainly changed in the eight
years she had been away. Shops in the airport terminal included the
usual book, souvenir and food shops, along with booking agents for the
Capricorn Tropic (Bullet Train) service to Uluru, helicopter flights to
Great Keppel Island Resort, Heron Island, Stanage Bay and Curtis Island.
Ignoring the people mover she walked outside to the awaiting Hassel
bullet train. Within 18 minutes she would be in Rockhampton. Along the
way she noted the Capricorn Region sign – Welcome to Rockhampton City –
home to Australia’s Next Champions; the Beef Capital of Australia tag
has been replaced. The interactive on-board video presentation enabled
her to choose and book accommodation and dinner on the banks of the
Fitzroy. The video presentation also mentioned Rockhampton was a city
of 88000 people, offering a family friendly environment with excellent
sporting, educational, cultural, medical and retail facilities. The
fast train service between Rockhampton, Gladstone, Blackwater made it
possible for workers to easily commute to their location and return to
their home after each shift. This piece of infrastructure was
instrumental in the now healthy population growth Rockhampton City was
experiencing.
The limo trip down Quay Street was what she was expecting; beautiful old
buildings, but the tenants were now restaurants, day spas, creative
hubs, book/coffee stores, and dance and art studios. The slight left
hand veer into Victoria Parade was a bigger surprise though. Six to
seven storey hotels, residential and office apartment complexes stood
side by side. Each architecturally designed to compliment its
neighbours and the river it overlooked. Rockhampton had come of age.
In the hotel room the video wall was displaying beautiful graphic still
shots of the city and region. Local sporting, cultural and academic
images of youth were interspersed amongst the picturesque city and
landscapes. The investment in international standard sporting and
cultural facilities along with the growing reputation of the regions
education facilities was paying dividends. Rockhampton was now
recognised as a nursery for future champions – in the pool, on the
field, on the stage, in front and behind the camera, in industry, in
academia. Major youth sporting competitions, eisteddfods, and academic
challenges were now being hosted regularly, filling the city
accommodation places and shops.
The spin off was flowing through the whole region and the rest of
Central Queensland. A satisfied smile spread across her face as she
started to think of her sold out home coming performance tomorrow night
at the Pilbeam Theatre.
This aspiration can happen, if we make it happen. Our future is not to see, but to create.
By showing how Central Queensland can continue to make a significant
contribution to the state and nation’s economy after the resource boom
gives us a stronger argument for the infrastructure needed.
Infrastructure that’s needed now to help create the CQ we aspire to.