Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today announced the formation of an Australian Super Group to head the all-star entertainment at the gala awards night.
"The awards, to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, November 18, will feature an exciting array of new technology and effects," Mrs Keech said.
"But the highlight will be the Super Group, comprising music legends Glenn Shorrock, Daryl Braithwaite, Jon Stevens and Vanessa Amorosi. which has been formed especially to perform together for the first time at the glittering occasion.
"We want to take the industry to the next level. This year's awards will be bigger and bolder and people will want to be there. I am certainly looking forward to seeing the Super Group perform."
Shorrock, Stevens and Braithwaite have each made considerable contributions to the Australian music scene over many years, with Amorosi following in their footsteps since her debut in 1999.
* Since the '60s Glenn Shorrock has been associated with many leading groups including Axiom and The Little River Band as well as putting out many successful singles.
* Daryl Braithwaite's career highlights include his time as frontman for the group Sherbet, his lead role in the rock opera, Tommy, and a number of hit singles.
* Since his debut in the late '80s with Noiseworks, Jon Stevens has carved a career as a top vocalist with career highlights including his role in Jesus Christ Superstar and his time with INXS.
* Vanessa Amorosi's singing and songwriting career took off when her first two singles went gold within weeks, leading to appearances in both the opening and closing of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Since then she has released a number of albums
The announcement of the Super Group was made jointly today by Mrs Keech, Tourism Queensland CEO Ian Mitchell and Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind.
Mrs Keech congratulated awards organisers, Tourism Queensland and Queensland Tourism Industry Council, on the initiatives taking the awards to a new level this year.
"This is the first of the new-era Awards; it has attracted record entries and today's announcement promises that the awards event will also reach new heights," Mrs Keech said.
"The added emphasis placed on the awards is appropriate at a time when the importance of tourism to the State's economy and job creation is receiving the recognition it deserves."
Tourism Queensland CEO Ian Mitchell said while the awards had earned the reputation of being among the very best in Australia, the organisers wanted to take the standard even higher as a reflection of Queensland's place in Australian tourism.
"We were determined to set the bar even higher, to do something that will have an impact around the country. The Australian Super Group is typical of what we want the Awards to be - 'the best of the best'," Mr Mitchell said.
Glenn Shorrock, who was present at today's announcement, said the group applauded the initiative of Tourism Queensland in bringing them together.
The Queensland Tourism Awards and the Australian Super Group will be presented by QR Traveltrain Holidays.
QR's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Steve Cantwell, said 2005 was the fourth successive year QR had been major sponsor for the awards.
"We are keenly aware of the role we play in tourism in Queensland, particularly in contributing to the development of tourism in regional locations," he said.
"Every year we deliver more than 460,000 travellers to destinations across Queensland, many of which are not well serviced by other modes.
"We see our sponsorship of the Queensland Tourism Awards as an extension of our support of the tourism industry, and are pleased to be playing a role in the recognition of the State's outstanding achievers.
"While we have derived great benefit from our involvement in the awards in previous years, we are very excited about the new direction for this year's presentation night - particularly the inclusion of some of Australia's top performers."
