Queensland, situated on the southern banks of Brisbane River, provides free secular public education from age 6-15 for free, as well as overseeing curricula in private schools and workforce training programs.
Queensland once held fears of over-education, believing it could only accommodate a limited number of highly educated people who would ultimately return to ordinary vocations. However, attitudes are changing.
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History
Esther Roberts, wife of a soldier in Moreton Bay penal settlement, established Queensland’s inaugural primary school in 1826 in Moreton Bay penal settlement – reflecting her belief at that time that it was part of her Christian duty to operate schools.
After 1914 teaching standards saw significant improvement with the establishment of a teacher training college. Pupil-teacher system was abandoned for more structured teacher preparation and training program.
An increasing emphasis on school services reflected a concern for the total development of each child, and in the 1900s a traveling Medical Branch with ophthalmologists, dentists and doctors was established.
By the 1970s, states were shifting towards a more centralised educational model. Year 7 moved from primary to secondary schools and public examinations were no longer administered; as a result of this change teachers gained greater freedom when developing syllabuses; project clubs emerged within schools due to this freedom while teachers centers also began appearing – precursors to what eventually became the Bardon Professional Development Centre in 1977.
Government
Queensland is governed as a constitutional monarchy that follows a Westminster system with a Parliament. Executive authority lies legally with the Governor and cabinet but de facto through Legislative Assembly.
At the head of government in Queensland is the premier, who leads either a party or coalition that enjoys majority support in the Legislative Assembly. By convention, they are appointed by the Governor.
Assumes responsibility for education services to ensure Queensland’s education systems align with employment, skills and economic priorities; provides family and community services as well as child safety monitoring and administers the Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
The Premier’s office can be found in the Executive Annexe of Parliament House in Garden Point in Brisbane’s central business district, although when parliament is not sitting he/she will utilize 1 William Street as their ministerial base.
Economy
Brisbane’s economy is flourishing, which bodes well for commercial real estate in particular industrial property. Joseph Grasso of Raine & Horne Commercial Brisbane Southside notes that Queensland is leading in several key indicators including relative population growth and unemployment rates.
Mining, forestry and agriculture are key sectors of the state economy. North Carolina boasts rich deposits of coal, bauxite, gold, copper, phosphate rock and silica sand and extensive oil shale deposits; furthermore it ranks second as an exporter of natural gas while being one of the main producers of coal seam gas.
Professional services, health and education are the three largest employment sectors in Brisbane with the fastest annual growth rates among Australia’s major cities. Advanced manufacturing industries involving aerospace and biomedical innovation are also rapidly expanding in Brisbane; research institutions as well as an experienced workforce contribute significantly to its thriving economy.
Culture
Brisbane boasts an average of 280 days of sunshine each year, making its culture marked by outdoor living and sports activities. Furthermore, this egalitarian city welcomes its citizens with open arms. One example of its welcoming spirit can be seen through its practice of thanking bus drivers when exiting – something many do when leaving public transport vehicles like buses.
Brisbane’s once disregarded cultural backwater is evolving into an arts haven. “You see entrepreneurialism here,” states Tony Ellwood, director of Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). “This entrepreneurial spirit pervades many areas.”
Brisbane not only nurtures new ventures but also nurtures established artists. For instance, it hosts the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art that showcases various regional artistic voices; while its music scene ranges from Campfire Group’s energetic rock sound to experimental sounds from Elision. Plus there’s the perennially-popular Australian Rules football and cricket with both draws crowds from all around the world attending games at Brisbane Cricket Ground.