Governor visits Cloncurry in North West Queensland

The Governor has visited Cloncurry as part of a Vice-Regal visit to North West Queensland, in keeping with her pledge at swearing-in to visit Queenslanders where they live, and talk with members of local communities about the things that matter to them.

Not many regional Australian towns can lay claim to having a former resident being featured on Australian currency.

Cloncurry’s Mayor, Councillor Greg Campbell, is rightly proud of his town’s link to the face of the $20 bank note — John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

It is representative of the many profoundly important accomplishments tracing their origins to this North West Queensland town of roughly 3,800, perched on the edge of Queensland’s famed Great Artesian Basin.

Indeed, Cloncurry punches well above its weight in many respects, particularly in terms of its contributions to the State’s economy. Its mining and agricultural output are the envy of many bigger regional centres, and its natural beauty is second to none, particularly after recent drenching rains in the region.

First stop for Her Excellency, guided personally by Cloncurry Shire Council’s Mayor Councillor Greg Campbell, was Chinaman Creek Dam, which has undergone recent revitalisation works to improve and expand recreational infrastructure for those living in the town and surrounds.

While in Cloncurry, the Governor also visited staff and patients at Cloncurry Health Services and Cloncurry Hospital and visited John Flynn Place, home to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum. Her Excellency is Patron of Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), and the first official Royal Flying Doctor flight took off from Cloncurry in 1928.

Cloncurry Shire Council hosted an evening community reception to honour the Governor’s visit, with Her Excellency taking the opportunity to mingle with locals and hear their stories about life in North West Queensland.