Townsville 150 Celebrations
On 15 February 2016, Townsville officially marked 150 years since being declared a municipality.
During the year-long salute, Townsville hosted over 150 community-led festivals, events, concerts, exhibitions and activities to explore our community’s rich heritage and celebrate the evolution of our vibrant and colourful culture. Whether you were a fifth generation local, had just moved here, or breeze through every winter to make the most of our ideal location, all were encouraged to get involved.
T150 Wrap Up Video
Relive the exciting year of T150 celebrations by watching the T150 Wrap Up Video (YouTube).
T150 Time Capsule
In celebration of the city's 150th anniversary Council installed a time capsule next to Victoria Bridge in January 2017. The ceremonial sealing happened as part of Council's New Year's Eve event at Strand Park and brought Council's T150 calendar of events to an end.
The capsule was launched early in 2016, with sponsors and the public invited to make suggestions for items for inclusion. Some of the 150 items include a JCU mortarboard, Cowboys supporters gear, 2016/17 Yellow Pages, Citylibraries T150 Education Kit, Townsville community profiles, maps, various publications and programs, as well as souvenirs of our city.
T150 Defence Force Air Show and Townsville Bulletin Sky Show
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill has described the T150 Defence Force Air Show and Townsville Bulletin Sky Show as the biggest day The Strand has ever seen. An estimated 80,000 people watched the spectacle from the Townsville foreshore. They were joined by thousands more in homes and venues throughout the city, North Ward and beyond. What a fitting way to celebrate the city’s 150th year!
Some quick facts about the day:
- estimated crowd of 80,000 on The Strand
- 240+ Townsville City Council staff, Queensland Police and traffic management staff to make the event happen
- over 25 aircraft
- 5 tonnes fireworks equal to 2 semi-trailer loads
- the fireworks had 16,000 separate effects which took 7 pyrotechnic experts to coordinate.
T150 Port of Townsville Gala Dinner Under the Stars - Highlights
Townsville City Council celebrated the city’s 150th anniversary in style when it played host to The Port of Townsville Gala Dinner Under the Stars.
Highlights video of the Gala Dinner Under the Stars (YouTube).
T150 4TOFM Pacific Festival Highlights
Relive the best moments of the 2016 4TOFM Pacific Festival in these highlight videos:
- Day 1 – Friday 3 June 2016 (YouTube)
- Day 2 – Saturday 4 June 2016 (YouTube)
- Day 3 – Sunday 5 June 2016 (YouTube)
150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Municipality
On Monday 15 February 2016, Townsville City Council celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Municipality, by holding a special Ceremonial Council Meeting. Councillors dressed in period costume and read excerpts from Council meeting minutes' from Townsville's 150 year history.
Ceremonial Council Meeting Highlights Video (YouTube).
Townsville Yarns Highlights
Experience Townsville Yarns, a series of engaging story-telling events held around the city, told live by a panel of local and visiting identities:
- Villains, Heroes and Saints (30 March 2016, YouTube)
- Exploring Townsville's History and Heritage (15 May 2016, YouTube)
- Townsville's Greatest Sporting Achievements (19 July 2016, YouTube)
- Townsville's Natural Disasters (28 September 2016, YouTube)
- 150 Years of Stage and Screen (22 & 23 November 2016, YouTube)
Official T150 Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors.