Funding Boost for Mount Isa 100 Years Celebrations

Mayor Danielle Slade and Mount Isa 100 Years Advisory Committee Chair Councillor Peta MacRae have welcomed today’s announcement that Council has been successful in receiving $506,900 in funding for the Mount Isa 100 Years Celebrations.

The funding is from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund Community Investments Stream Round 5, the recipients of which were announced today. Council’s contribution of $217,240 is part of its funding obligation.

Cr MacRae said the funding would be used to build on Mount Isa’s flagship events in 2023 – the city’s centennial year – such as the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, Mount Isa Show, MineX mining expo, and the Isa Street Festival, as well as to develop new events, such as the 100-year reunion, founders’ day, and local Indigenous art displays.

“We have a range of fantastic events and activities planned for the whole of 2023 to showcase the rich history of Mount Isa and celebrate what makes the city and its community great, as befitting its centenary year,” Cr MacRae said.

“We anticipate the 100-year reunion dinner will be a gala-style event that will attract people who once lived in the city back to Mount Isa.

“The Founders’ Day Underground Experience at Outback at Isa aims to tell stories from Traditional Owners about the country and people before Mount Isa was established and feature long-term residents’ stories of ‘back in the day’.

“We see the Mount Isa 100 Years Celebrations as not just promoting Mount Isa and the region as a tourism destination and great place to live to people across Australia, but also celebrating Indigenous culture, and increasing community pride and social inclusion.”

Cr Slade said she was ecstatic at the funding announcement and that the money will go a long way to ensure a year of celebrating our rich history and – most importantly – the Mount Isa people.

“I am rapt that we as a Council were successful in our application,” Cr Slade said.

“I would also like to thank the Council CEO David Keenan for all the behind-the-scenes work on this funding submission and also thank and acknowledge all of the volunteers who make up the 100 Years Advisory Committee for their involvement in, and commitment to, making 2023 a year we’ll never forget.

“It will be fantastic to see Mount Isa ex-pats return to the city in 2023 in their droves and catch up with friends and reminisce, celebrate and acknowledge how much we all love Mount Isa.”