Another facet could be added to Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers honour roll at the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards later this month.

Toowoomba’s premier tourist event is a finalist in the Bartercard Events and Tourism category.

Award winners in seven categories will be announced at a presentation dinner at Maroochydore on Saturday, October 24. (The award nomination was for 2008 and did not include the recent 60th anniversary Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.)

The 2008 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers faces competition from the Chinchilla Melon Festival and Rotary Club Bundaberg Sunrise.

Toowoomba Regional Council Tourism, Events and Parks portfolio leader Cr Joe Ramia said he was delighted Carnival was shortlisted for industry recognition.

Cr Ramia said the nomination was a fitting reward for scores of volunteers and council staff who worked for months to stage a successful festival program each year.

“Crowd attendance alone at this year’s festivities, and in recent years, was one measure of success,” he said.

“The backing of community groups and businesses, including foundation sponsors, aided council’s work to provide a range of events and activities that appealed to residents and visitors of all ages.”

Cr Ramia said the Queensland listing followed another recent award nomination.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was a finalist in the Best Achievement in Sustainability category at the inaugural Australian Event Awards in Sydney.

The category was won by Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts and Music Festival in New South Wales.

The other finalist was Spring into Gardening 2008 run by Victorian local authority, City of Stonnington in Melbourne.

Cr Ramia said although Carnival missed the top honour, the nomination was a significant achievement and a valuable promotion for Australia’s longest running horticultural event.

The Awards program at Maroochydore is presented by WIN Television and the Queensland Government through the Blueprint for the Bush Strategy.  It recognises the achievements of individuals, communities, environment and Landcare initiatives, businesses, event and tourism projects, young leaders and the arts in regional and rural Queensland.

Toowoomba community groups and a young Toowoomba resident are nominated in three other award categories.