Stonemasons on show at Ekka

Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
10/08/2009
Stonemasons on show at Ekka
 
A unique Q150 sandstone sculpture crafted by stonemasons from the Department of Public Works will be a highlight of the Government pavilion at this year's Ekka (August 6-15).

The completed Q150 sculpture in the shape of Queensland will be on display near an entrance to the Frank Nicklin Pavilion, while the QBuild stonemasons are working on other Q150 sandstone mementoes in the Department of Public Works booth nearby.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said the Q150 sculpture was made from reclaimed original sandstone from Parliament House and a quarry from Stanwell, west of Rockhampton.

"Public Works was involved in constructing major buildings of stone from the formation of the Queensland colony in 1859 until 1930, when other building materials became popular," Mr Schwarten said.

"Today, the Department of Public Works employs six stonemasons and two apprentices.

"They continue to learn and use time-honoured skills to preserve the p ast by restoring Queensland's important heritage buildings for the benefit of future generations.

"I encourage Queensanders to visit the stonemasons at the Public Works display during the show, where they will be displaying their skills between the hours of 9am to around 5pm.

"The Q150 sculpture will be situated permanently in Brisbane in a location yet to be decided."

Mirroring the work of the stonemasons, the Department of Public Works Ekka display focuses on the department's Q150 Colonial Brisbane Heritage Walk which features several heritage-listed sandstone buildings in Brisbane's George and William Streets.

There are 23 sites covered in the Walk, including the Old Treasury Building (now Jupiter's Casino), the Commissariat Stores in William Street and Parliament House.

The Walk is available as an audio guide that can be downloaded onto iPods or MP3 players by visiting: www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/brisbaneheritagewalk