Queensland Suppliers Pitch for Brisbane Olympics Stage

As the details of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games take shape, regional Queensland suppliers and performers are eager to be part of the action. The state government's promise that the Games would be 'for all of Queensland' has resonated with outback artisans and entertainers, who see an opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage.

Showcasing opal on the world stage

Opal miner Daniel Black said it would be a 'dream' to see the famed Australian gems featured in the Games. 'Whether that's within gifts to dignitaries that might come over for the games, whether that's within our medals or even within the torch itself,' he said.

With Australia supplying more than 90 per cent of the world's opals, Mr Black, who is also the Queensland Boulder Opal Association president, said it was a fitting inclusion. 'A lot of people don't actually understand where opal is found or where specific types of opal are found,' he said. 'And I think it actually provides a great international platform to make sure that people know.'

Outback performance

In Winton, remote Queensland kids are learning how to crack stock whips with hopes of performing at Games ceremonies. Co-founder of comedy and circus troupe The Crackup Sisters, Amanda Lyn-Pearson, is helping to train a team of whip crackers. 'Rather than having little city kids run around with whips, we're working on taking a mob of kids to the city to do the opening and closing ceremonies,' she said.

The 17-strong crew, aged four to 58, have performed at Winton's Dustarena and believe they are ready to take to the Olympic and Paralympic stage. 'I could see it definitely as an opener. Or even when events going a little boring, let's whip it up a gear,' she joked.

Tambo Teddies ready to put needle to sheepskin

The team at Queensland toy producer Tambo Teddies have pitched a koala mascot for the Games. 'We put him out to our social media, to our world, and said, 'name him'. And yeah, Bunji came back, because Bunji means friendship,' co-owner Alison Shaw said.

Ms Shaw said their facility in Toowoomba was ready to create merchandise, including for the Games' cockatoo-inspired emblems. 'The new symbols and mascots, we want to make them,' she said. 'Whether it's made of sheepskin or made of another fabric, there's no reason why we can't be the manufacturers here in Queensland.'

Outback tourism industry set to benefit

Longreach Mayor Tony Rayner said there were challenges of supplying an event on the scale of the Olympics. 'It's important that planning starts early, and then if the opportunity is there, they can bid to have that put in,' he said. 'The big one for us obviously is visitation from tourists that are both international visitors coming over for the Olympics and equally those that might want to leave Brisbane and head to the quiet of the bush.'