Council is committed to developing arts and cultural projects and programs in our region that benefit both local artists and the community.
Council is committed to developing arts and cultural projects and programs in our region that benefit both local artists and the community.
Vote for your favourite artwork
The Central Highlands Regional Council is commissioning a new public artwork for the Emerald Botanic Gardens. It will be located near the windmill, behind the Federation Pillars and Yarn Pit.
We invite our community to vote for their favourite artwork from two proposals submitted by local artists.
The artwork submission that attracts the most community votes will be installed. Community members are encouraged to jump online to view the artwork proposals and vote for their favourite. To vote click here.
Voting closes at midday on Monday 30 November and the winner will be announced that afternoon.
Central Highlands communities impacted by floods and repeated natural disasters came together to participate in a joint artistic project starting in 2012.
Local artists, historians and community groups collaborated to create a large commemorative quilt, representing the visual and artistic expression of each town’s history, iconic landmarks and waterways.
Supported by council, the powerful project helped revitalise the social and emotional wellbeing of affected communities, including Duaringa, Emerald, Rolleston, the Sapphire Gemfields and Springsure.
Now a permanent focal point in the Emerald Library, the quilt highlights the inclusive cultural development of the Central Highlands and the communities that make up the region.
Each year, the Arts around August program promotes the diversity of the region’s thriving arts and culture sector, supporting local community projects and their development.
Events range from music concerts and craft markets to photo competitions and the annual Gemfest event.
A regional mapping overlay marking the location of significant regional cultural heritage sites has been developed by council with assistance from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
The overlay will promote tourism around the sites and protect them for future generations.
Plans are also progressing for the production of a conservation heritage management plan for the region.
The oral history project for the southern area of our region explores and communicates the stories of individuals and places that link communities with their past.
These stories capture the land development and social history and add valued local and family history information.
The project extends public knowledge and interest in the unique history of these areas by identifying, recording and sharing these stories.
The Springsure Hospital Museum is a nationally heritage-listed building. It was originally opened in 1868 with feature characteristics of the French pavilion plan.
Not only is the former Springsure Hospital the first inland hospital constructed in Queensland, it is also Queensland’s oldest surviving hospital designed on the pavilion plan.
Council is currently working with local stakeholders and community organisations to restore the museum.
Up-to-date weather, road closure and disaster information.