Project paves way to new century

Palmwoods Progress Association's Roger Brooke with a sample of the terracotta tiles to be used.

PALMWOODS Progress Association has launched an ambitious project to celebrate the turn of the milennium.

A series of terracotta tiles, each engraved with the names of local residents and organisations, will come together in a pavement similar to Hollywood’s Walk of the Stars.

The project is targeted for unveiling on Australia Day 2000, as a celebration of the 20th century at the turn of the milennium.

"This project is a brilliant initiative to bring back the past and provide a past," PPA president Ron Corelli said. "It is something our children can look back on as a celebration of the 20th century. This is making history and memories."

A number of options are now being considered for the commemorative pavement project.

These include a footpath in Kolora Park, a tiled and multi-dimensional feature around a stainless steel flagpole in Kolora Park and a pavement near the Palmwoods Memorial Hall.

PPA Committee Member Roger Brooke, who is in charge of the project, said 300 tiles would be sold for $100 each. Purchasers can then place their own two-line inscription to literally "go down" in history.

"We are talking about 100 years so $100 seems an appropriate amount," he said.

Applications for tiles are now open, with the final design and location to be finalised within the next six months.

Mr Brooke said residents, businesspeople, clubs and societies, churches and government departments were all invited to invest in a tile for the commemorative pavement.

He said it would be appropriate for a dozen central spots to be made available to pioneering families and to local dignitaries past and present, such as Sir Francis Nicklin who went on from Palmwoods to become Queensland Premier.

The tiles are hard wearing terracotta and deeply etched with type.

Only 300 tiles will be available. Anyone who would like to purchase a family or group tile and be part of the celebration project should contact Roger Brooke, phone 5445 0213, for more information.