Sunshine Coast celebrates its christening

IT WAS 50 years ago last Tuesday the name Sunshine Coast officially came into being in Queensland. Until then, the region was known as the Near North Coast, reflecting its proximity to Brisbane.

However, as the region’s population and tourist numbers increased rapidly, the Maroochy, Noosa and Landsborough shires voted to adopt the name Sunshine Coast, which came into effect on August 1, 1967.

Today, the region is not only Queensland’s fastest-growing tourism destination but also one of the 10 biggest “cities” in Australia with almost 300,000 people calling it home.

The Sunshine Coast will celebrate the 50th anniversary with a series of special events over the next five months.

They include concerts, the largest Horizons Arts Festival, a poetry trail, sand sculpture festival and a special commemorative exhibition retracing the region’s development.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the program of events would appeal to a range of ages and interests. Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Simon Latchford said it was remarkable how the region had developed.

“The Sunshine Coast has always concentrated on showcasing its diversity: we are far more than just Sunshine and Coast, with our distinctive natural attractions, such as the hinterland and Glass House Mountains, complementing our beautiful coastal attractions,” he said.

“And we are constantly innovating. The new airport, plans for major new hotels and tourism attractions, blueprints for new town centres, massive expansion of our ‘agri-tourism’ sector and world-class tourism activities such as Swimming with Whales highlight our continuing commitment to offering fresh reasons to return.

“We invite the whole of Australia and the rest of the world to join us in the celebrations. Everyone is welcome.”