The First Ever Great Barrier Reef Coral Festival

Many readers would be surprised to know that the Great Barrier Reef Festival has a history dating back over 60 years?

With this year’s Great Barrier Reef Festival now completed, it is interesting to read about the very first such festival which was held to showcase the area and its lifestyle. While the current Barrier Reef Festival is held on the mainland, these early festivals were centred on the islands of the Whitsundays as well as others further afield. Hayman Island, Happy Bay, Lindeman Island, South Molle, Palm Bay and Heron Island were the first islands involved.  Daydream Island and Brampton Island were also participated at some stage. On the 1962 programme, MV “Esmeralda” was listed along with the islands.
The official opening of the festival was marked by the unveiling of a plaque on a cairn at Cid Harbour in remembrance of Captain James Cook naming the Whitsunday Passage. The Minister for Labour, Industry and Tourism often performed the closing ceremony such was its considered importance.

There was much frivolity and fun at these annual events with such activities as sailing races, tug-o’-war, a treasure hunt, an oyster eating competition, ladies throwing oars, men throwing 36lb cannon balls from the sunken Spanish Galleon, a skiing exhibition and race, and a cruiser race. There were also cocktail parties and a fancy dress.
For many, the highlight of the festival was the keenly anticipated judging of the Miss Coral Queen. Each island had its own Coral Queen judging with the finalist announced on the last day which usually took place on a Sunday allowing day guests from the mainland to attend. Along with other great prizes such as a tour to New Zealand on one occasion, the winner was presented with a beautiful crown, set with coral, and made by Mrs Leen Wallace of Coral Art, Dent Island. The first Coral Queen (1958) was from Lindeman.

The festival continued into the 1970s with Proserpine joining in fun in 1963, holding a Carnival Day and Mardi Gras in conjunction with the Great Barrier Reef Festival. The Main Street was ablaze with colour, bunting, coloured lights, decorated shop windows, leis, Muu-muus and beach shirts. Businesses, schools and clubs participated and organised floats for the procession.

Proserpine decided to base its carnival on sporting and interest activities with the golf, bowls, cricket, tennis, rifle, and camera clubs participating. The Pony Club held a gymkhana. There was also an orchid display and boxing matches. Aquatic sports were held at Shingley Beach with Queensland Skiff Champion, Mick Walton, attempting to break his 1960 record in “Mischief”. There was also a Mobile Mock Court, Mardi Gras with clowns, barbecue and musical entertainment and the event culminated with the presentation of Miss Esmeralda Carnival Queen at a ball at the Grand Theatre. The Proserpine Carnival was such an outstanding success that organisers decided that it would be held annually.

(Note: The beautiful Coral Crown, donated by Mrs Thora Nicolson of Lindeman Island, is on display at the Proserpine Museum.)

Story and photos courtesy of Proserpine Historical Society Museum.

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