Sunshine Coast celebrates 50th anniversary

Tourism body Visit Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Council are this week marking the 50th anniversary of the region’s naming as the ‘Sunshine Coast’ with a series of events and celebrations.

Prior to August 1967, the region was known as the ‘Near North Coast’, reflecting its proximity to Brisbane.

However, with the region’s rapid growth in population and tourism, the Maroochydore, Noosa and Landsborough shires all voted to adopt the name ‘Sunshine Coast’, which came into effect on 1st August 1967.

The origin of the name was summed up by a tourism official at the time, R.M. O’Loughlin, who remarked that “this area had something that could not be bought for gold: that was glorious sunshine.”

Today, the Sunshine Coast is not only Queensland’s fastest growing tourism destination, it is one of Australia’s 10 largest cities with almost 300,000 people calling it home while the Sunshine Coast Airport was recently designated an international airport.

The Sunshine Coast will celebrate the 50th anniversary with a series of special events over the next five months. They include concerts, the largest ever 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 explained “this anniversary milestone also allows us the opportunity to celebrate the region’s unique identity and to showcase the past, present and future.

“The exciting program of events, which will be held from August to December, will appeal to a broad range of ages and interests.”

Visit Sunshine Coast Chief Executive Simon Latchford said that it was remarkable to look back and see how the region had developed as one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations.

Latchford commented “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.

“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.”

Anniversary celebrations start this weekend with a live Today Show Big Birthday Bash at Maroochydore Beach while on Saturday, sporting fans and locals are set for a treat with the inaugural Women’s AFL Cup, at Maroochydore Sports Complex, starting at 11.30am.

Maroochydore Roos Operations Manager Lisa Daldy said the club was excited to host the anniversary game.

Daldy stated “we look forward to welcoming our community to the inaugural Women’s AFL Cup between Maroochydore and the University of Queensland senior teams.

“It’s sure to be a great day of sporting action.”

The Festival of Community Hall celebrations will be in full swing with five events in local halls throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Mooloolah Hall will host 50 years of Mooloolah Memories on Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, Country Rocks the Obi Obi Hall, Mapleton Hall will host a Retro Fantastic Day and Live Music night and Belli Hall will host a Retro Old Time Country Dance.

Mayor Jamieson concluded “it’s our time to shine ... and what a weekend of great activities we have coming up for our 50th Anniversary celebrations.

“It really is one of our biggest weekends of the anniversary year.

“We’ve worked with a wide range of passionate local community groups to plan events and activities that suit all ages and interests.”

Full details of the anniversary celebrations can be found at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/fifty

Images: Historic promotion for the 'Near North Coast’ (top), flights into the Sunshine Coast Airport (middle) and the Maroochydore Roos ready for Women’s AFL Cup action (below).

26th July 2017 - UPDATES COMPLETE AT SUNSHINE COAST PERFORMING ARTS VENUE

3rd July 2017 - MOOLOOLABA FORESHORE REDEVELOPMENT MOVES TO ITS NEXT PHASE

6th June 2017 - SUNSHINE COAST MAJOR EVENTS ‘COME TO LIFE’ WITH LAUNCH OF NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN 

26th April 2017 - LOCAL COUNCILS MAKE BIG INVESTMENTS IN TOURISM 

16th April 2017 - SUNSHINE COAST ARTS FESTIVAL SETS A BENCHMARK 

30th March 2017 - SUNSHINE COAST LEADS QUEENSLAND’S TOURISM GROWTH IN 2016 

21st March 2017 - AUSSIE WORLD’S THE SHED ENTERTAINMENT VENUE WELCOMES FIRST SELL OUT

10th December 2016 - CLASSIC NEW ZEALAND TOURISM POSTERS ON DISPLAY AT CANTERBURY MUSEUM

7th November 2016 - EVENTS GENERATE $100 MILLION FOR THE SUNSHINE COAST 

13th August 2016 - NEW VENUES TO CATER FOR GROWING SUNSHINE COAST SPORT MARKET

31st May 2016 - AUSTRALIAN EVENT AWARDS MOVES TO THE SUNSHINE COAST

4th February 2016 - SUNSHINE COAST CAMPAIGN TARGETS MAJOR EVENTS AND CONFERENCES

5th December 2015 - SUNSHINE COAST LAUNCHES NEW TOURISM ERA WITH NEW BRAND AND DIRECTION 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.