Queensland Day in Australia Date in the current year: June 6, 2024

Queensland is the second-largest and third-most populous state of Australia. It is situated in northeastern Australia and bordered by Northern Territory to the west, South Australia to the south-west, and New South Wales to the south. The capital of Queensland is Brisbane; other large cities in the state include Cairns, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and Townswille.

The first European to set foot in what is now Queensland (and to land in Australia in general) was Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon in 1606. During the following years, the region was also explored by French and Spanish explorers. In 1770, British navigator James Cook arrived in the east coast of Australia and claimed it for Great Britain on behalf of King George III. He named the region, which included present-day Queensland, “New South Wales”.

In 1823, British explorer John Oxley founded the first settlement in Queensland. It was a penal colony situated at what is now Radcliffe; some time later, it was transferred to what is now the Brisbane central business district. Transportation of convicts to the region was ceased in 1839. Three years later, Brisbane officially became a free settlement.

Most early immigrants to Queensland originally came from other parts of New South Wales. The first ship with free European settlers, the Artemisia, arrived in Moreton Bay in 1848. It carried married couples with children, as well as single men and women, from London and Plymouth.

The separation of Queensland from New South Wales began in 1851, when a public meeting was held to consider the proposed statehood. A total of nine meetings were held between 1851 and 1854 to gain more support from the public and work out the details of separation, such as where the border and a new capital should be located.

Finally, the Letters Patent to create the new colony of Queensland was signed by Queen Victoria on June 6, 1859. The border between Queensland and New South Wales wax fixed at the 28th parallel south. Sir George Bowen was appointed the first Governor of Queensland.

On December 10, 1859, Bowen read a proclamation that confirmed the separation of Queensland from New South Wales. However, it is the anniversary of the Letters Patent that is now celebrated as Queensland Day.

Queensland Day is marked by various cultural events held throughout the state, including the Queensland Greats Awards ceremony. The awards have been presented annually since 2001 to recognize outstanding Queenslanders for their contribution to the development of the state and its community.

Over the years, the Queensland Greats Awards have been presented to people of various backgrounds and occupations, including soldiers, politicians, entrepreneurs, authors, artists, musicians, philanthropists, activists, healthcare workers, athletes, scientists, educators, journalists, police officers, government officials, etc.