2023 marked 50 years of operation for Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB). Established in 1973 as a Project Board under the Public Works Organisation and Environmental Control Act 1971-73, GAWB has experienced tremendous growth over the past five decades. GAWB has played an integral role within the Gladstone region, consistently prioritising the safe, secure, and reliable delivery of water.
To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we held a series of special events throughout 2023. Some of the highlights included:
- Launching the Four Mile Scrub to Boynedale Bush Camp Rail Trail, worth $970,000 (June 2023)
- Opening the Trevor Burgess boat ramp at Boynedale Bush Camp, named after the local late fishermen Trevor Burgess (July 2023)
- Opening the Aquaculture Gladstone Interpretive Display at our $12 million Aquaculture Gladstone facility (October 2023)
- Burying a time capsule at Castle Tower, ready for future GAWB employees in 2073 (November 2023)
At the centre of our 50th celebrations is our Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt and ‘Then and Now’, our water history exhibition. We encourage you to find out more below.
GAWB extends our acknowledgement and heartfelt thanks to all GAWB employees, customers, community members and the Queensland Government, all of whom have helped shape GAWB’s journey over the past 50 years. Our water story is your water story.
Then & Now
Gladstone Area Water Board is proud to present our corporate history project, ‘Then and Now’, a visual exhibition which brings the Gladstone region’s water supply history and growth to life. The exhibition consists of illustrated panels which explore the shared water stories of in our region, including the Indigenous, industry and community stories of how we interact with and celebrate water. We thank the many local community members and businesses who shared their stories and are helping us to celebrate 50 years of Gladstone Area Water Board.
To celebrate our region’s shared water history, ‘Then and Now’ was officially launched in October 2023 and before embarking on a 12-month roadshow around the Gladstone region.
Thank you to the amazing venues and organisations who hosted the display during the roadshow.
We hope you learnt something new about Gladstone’s water supply history!
Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt
The first ever Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt was a resounding success – thank you to the more than 250 families who participated!
In fact, the scavenger hunt was so successful we have made it an annual event! For more information on the current hunt, please visit https://www.gawb.qld.gov.au/lake-awoonga-scavenger-hunt-2024/
The Lake Awoonga Scavenger Hunt was and is a free, community focused event which encourages families to visit Lake Awoonga and using clues, hunt for the elusive mascot. In 2023, explorers searched for the golden pelican, GAWBie. In 2024,we introduced Barry the Barramundi!
We extend our thanks to all the families who participated in 2023 and 2024, and to our radio partner 4CC for their active support of our scavenger hunt.
Please contact communityrelations@gawb.qld.gov.au for any enquiries.
