The following announcement was written by the Genealogical Society of Queensland, Australia:
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning and State Member of Stafford Stirling Hinchliffe has launched the Genealogical Society of Queensland's historical book Queenslanders: - Pioneer Families 1859-1901.
Mr Hinchliffe said the Queensland Government granted the Genealogical Society of Queensland $10,000 in Q150 Community Funding, as part of Queensland's 150th Celebrations 2009.
"If there's one organisation that can track down Queensland pioneering families, it has to be the Genealogical Society of Queensland," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"The society recognised its existing muster roll of Queenslanders was an asset and decided to update it as part of this year's 150th birthday celebrations for the State.
"As part of this exercise the society decided to expand the project into two parts - one on the stories and one on the updating of the muster roll.
"Today it was my pleasure to launch the book on pioneering stories of Queenslanders.
"These family stories paint a picture of Queenslanders as courageous, determined and resilient.
"The book shows us where this Queensland spirit emanated from.
"We have much to be thankful for as we enjoy the Queensland of today in a year when we have the opportunity to celebrate our people, our places and our stories.
"I congratulate the Genealogical Society of Queensland and everyone who contributed so generously of their past in the making of this book."
The book is available from the Society in person or online from the Society's website www.gsq.org.au. It retails for $19.95 plus $7.50 postage in Queensland.
Genealogical Society of Queensland spokesman Russell Fraser said the book was the first to be completed in the two-part Q150 project.
"It includes outstanding pioneers, every-day pioneers, first ladies, education of the people, trials and tribulations as well as a record of the early ships that travelled to the colony," Mr Fraser said.
"As for the muster roll, the response from the community has been overwhelming and this means we have more work to do than we originally thought on this second part of the project.
"However, the book on pioneering stories is a great social history read and we are happy to keep on updating the muster roll until we feel it's reached a point where we can say it's as complete as possible for its next edition.''
This year marks Queensland's 150th anniversary year of separation from New South Wales.
The Queensland Government's $4 million Q150 Community Funding program offered grants between $2000 and $10,000 to communities to help them mark Queensland's anniversary in ways that were meaningful to them. Find out what's on in Queensland at www.q150.qld.gov.au.
