Presidents Welcome It is with enormous pleasure that I welcome you to our 56th annual Gladstone Harbour Festival. From its small beginings in 1963, our Gladstone Harbour Festival has evolved into a major community celebration in our city. Twelve months of planning will see the GPC Marina Parklands come alive with five nights and three days of enjoyment for the whole community. We are extremely proud of this year’s programme of events and I am sure you will find delight in the range and quality of the entertainment and activities on offer. To stage this FREE event, it takes an enormous amount of resources, sponsorship and input, from a lot of organisations and people. The Harbour Festival would not be possible without the generous support and commitment of Gladstone Ports Corporation, Gladstone Regional Council, Sponsors and Supporters for their ongoing dedication and commitment to our iconic annual community event. This year’s celebrations also mark a major milestone, the 70th anniversary of the annual Brisbane to Gladstone Blue Water Classic Yacht Race with a large number of yachts taking part in the 308-nautical mile race to the finish line in Gladstone. I congratulate Mayor Matt Burnett for his efforts to bring all the stakeholders of the yacht race together, to work as a group to promote and showcase the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race and the festivals that are run in conjunction with the blue water classic. The success and longevity of our festival is reliant on many factors, a great volunteer base is a major part of the festival surviving long term. While out and about at this year’s festival if you see a festival volunteer, take a moment and say thank you. These people give up their holidays and time each and every year, to oversee the running of the Harbour Festival. Our community would be the poorer without you. Thank you for your commitment and friendship. Stay up to date with all that is happening with all the latest news about this year’s event by visiting our website or follow us on Facebook which is being constantly updated. Have a happy and safe Easter at this year’s 56th Harbour Festival.
Raymond Lewis
Volunteer President