After my successful re-election campaign, I will return for a fourth term as the Member for Southport. Along with this important role I have been appointed as the new Minister of Tourism and Fair Trading. This position also includes the Racing and Liquor Licensing portfolios.

During my time as Minister I will be visiting tourism icons all over Queensland and this page will keep track of my work. I encourage everyone to follow my travels as the Minister by reading below my entries into the Minister's Diary where I will write about my latest experiences.

Peter Lawlor.

When in Roma...
Posted by editor (editor) on Aug 03 2010
Ministerial Diary >>

Roma is known as the cradle of Australia's oil and gas industry but many people might not know that it is an untapped tourism destination in the Western Downs region. Community Cabinet was recently held in Roma and I got to experience first-hand just how rich in history and culture it really is. The friendly locals are just itching to share a part of their outback oasis with anyone who will dare to wonder off the traditional tourist track to experience a piece of true blue Australia.

As a tribute to its oil and gas history, Roma is home to the Big Rig oil and gas museum where you will discover that Roma was the very first site where oil and gas was discovered in Autralia. As soon as you step through the front door you are taken on a journey from Australia's first discovery of petroleum, through the boom and bust years of oil and gas exploration and on to today's multi-billion dollar industry.

Hearing about the hard-yakka days of old will probably make you a little thirsty so next stop on the Roma tourist trail will lead you to Romavilla, Queensland's oldest winery. Romavilla has been operating since 1863 and was establishing by Samuel Bassett. I am told its first wine was sold in 1866 and it has not missed a vintage since. Romavilla is also famous for its award-winning fortifieds.

When you are in Roma, make sure you don't go past St Paul's Anglican Church. Other than the beautiful church itself, there are some other good reasons to step in. St Paul's has the only pipe organ in Western Queensland (567 working pipes) and amazing collection of stained glass windows, many dating back to far earlier years and which are still being added to today.

One thing I was really looking forward to in Roma was witnessing the cattle sales. Roma's cattle sales are the largest in Australia and the custom-built raised walkways around the yards make for a perfect vantage point for tourists to oversee the proceedings. Although they weren't on when we visited (every Tuesday and Thursday) I could imagine the full pens, the sound of auctioneers working hard and the overpowering smell of cattle. What a fantastic quintessential Australian experience for tourists to enjoy while in Roma and to learn a little about living on the land.

So as you can see by the abundance of things to do and see in Roma, it is definitely ly a destination not to be missed. So like they say, when in Roma...!

Last changed: Aug 03 2010 at 2:19 PM