Queensland Delegations

Seven Queensland government delegations have visited South Carolina since the signing of the Sister-State agreement. South Carolina sent a delegation to Queensland in August 2000.

Queensland Delegation #1: May 13, 1999

A delegation consisting of Premier Beattie, members of Queensland government, Brisbane city government and private sector representatives initiated the visit to South Carolina as part of an overall 11-day trade mission. The trade mission visited Austin, Texas; Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; New York; Seattle, Washington; and Los Angeles, California. The representatives visiting South Carolina included:

The Honourable Peter Beattie
Premier of Queensland

Dr. Glyn Davis
Director-General, Department of State Development and Department of Trade

Graeme Roberts-Thomson
Director of Protocol

Rob Whiddon
Chief of Staff, Premier's Office

Richard Joel
Brisbane City Council Economic Development Chief Executive Officer

Greg Young
Gold Coast City Council Director of Economic Development and Major Projects

Professor Roy Webb
Griffith University Vice-Chancellor;

John Kenny
Queensland's Trade and Investment Commissioner for America

Ross Rolfe
State Development and Trade Director-General

Bruce Hawker
Hawker Britton Political Consultants

John Hocken
Liquatech Party, Ltd

Sarina Russo
CEO and President, the Russo Institute of Technology

Queensland Delegation #2: August 9, 1999

A delegation representing members of the Queensland Parliament participated in information exchanges with representatives of the South Carolina House of Representatives and SC Senate, University of South Carolina and state agencies such as Department of Natural Resources, Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism, and the Department of Commerce.

Delegation Leader
The Honourable Rod Welford, Minister for Environment and Heritage, Minister for Natural Resources, Member for Everton

Government Members
Mr. Darryl Briskey MLA, Member for Cleveland
Mr. Tim Mulherin MLA, Member for Mackay
Mr. Jim Pearce MLA, Member for Fitzroy

Opposition Members
Mr. Howard Hobbs MLA, Member for Warrego
Mr. Bruce Davidson MLA, Member for Noosa

Independent Member
Mr. Peter Wellington MLA, Member for Nicklin

Delegation Managers

Mr. Bruce Gatz, Business Manager, Trade Division
Mr. John Kenny, Queensland Government Trade and Investment Commissioner, Los Angeles

Consulate Representative

The Honorable Geoff Gray, Australian Consul General

Queensland Delegation #3: September 27, 1999

A delegation representing members of the Queensland Parliament and Queensland Government participated in information exchanges with representatives from the Department of Education, State Housing and Finance Development Authority, Columbia Housing Authority, and the River Alliance.

Delegation
Minister Robert Schwarten, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing
Ms. Linda Apelt, Director General of the Department of Housing
Mr. Lindsay Marshall, Senior Media Advisor

Queensland Delegation #4: March 28-March 30, 2000
A delegation headed by Premier Beattie and representing members of the Queensland Government participated in meetings, information exchanges and commemorative events during the three-day visit.










From left, Governor Hodges and Premier Beattie share a handshake after the announcement of the koala exchange in March 2000 with Deputy Chief of Staff Mike LeFever.

Delegation

The Honorable Peter Beattie, MLA
Premier of Queensland

Mr. Rob Whiddon
Chief-of-Staff to the Premier

Mr. Ross Rolfe
Director-General, Department of State Development

Mr. Rob Doolan
Export Development Manager
Queensland Australia Government Office, Los Angeles

Ms. Helen Moscos
Protocol Officer, Protocol Queensland, Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Mr. Mark Nolan
Hawker Britton Consulting Group

Mr. Peter Collins
Cameraman, Channel 7

Mr. Mike D'Arcy
Journalist, Channel 7

South Carolina Delegation to Queensland #1: August 2000

South Carolina Delegation to Queensland

To reciprocate and further the relationship, a delegation representing the State of South Carolina visited Queensland in August 2000. During that trip, representatives from state agencies in the areas of tourism, higher education, natural resources, educational television and commerce received extensive briefings across government portfolios with particular reference to tourism and trade, education and cultural exchange and investment. Both states are developing opportunities in tourism and are promoting tourism-related initiatives including website links, an exchange of tourism officers and a student exchange program.

During the visit, the South Carolina government delegates signed a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism student exchange which will enable students from universities in both states to travel overseas for a minimum of six months study each year. In addition, the delegates signed another Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Media that will develop a range of multimedia educational projects for preschool to 12th grade. Projects will include website interaction, joint television programming, the exchange of resources, technologies and personnel and joint exploitation of intellectual property. http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/carolina.htm

Delegates:

Senator John Drummond
President Pro Tempore of South Carolina Senate

Mr. Mike LeFever
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of the Governor Jim Hodges

Mr. Moke McGowan
Senior Director of Marketing and State Tourism Director

Dr. Paul Sandifer Ph.D.
Director
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Dr. Jerry Odom Ph.D
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
University of South Carolina

Ms. Isabel Hill
Director of Community and Product Development
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Dr. John Crotts Ph.D
Dean
School of Business Administration
College of Charleston

Ms. Terri Cowling-Isham
Director of Marketing
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Mr. Tom Persons Sr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
South Carolina Technology Alliance

Mr. William H. Lacey III
Director
Division of International Trade and Existing Business Services
South Carolina Department of Commerce

Dr. Paul R. Amos
President
South Carolina Educational Television Network

Queensland Delegation #5: March 2002

Education Memorandum of Understanding

From Left: Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, Governor Jim Hodges and Premier Peter Beattie after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Education.

March 2002 heralded the signing of a 6th Memorandum of Understanding. Under the new agreement between the South Carolina Department of Education and the Queensland Government, a range of collaborative projects will be developed which will include teacher and student exchanges, joint curriculum projects and the exchange of educational publications and materials. The overarching goals of the agreement are to advance education, disseminate knowledge and promote educational, social, and cultural development between the two states.

This agreement is the logical outcome of the high priority that both Governor Hodges and Premier Beattie place on education, especially public secondary education. An example of exchanges that have taken place prior to the MOU signing in March 2002 is that of Richland Northeast High School and Kelvin Grove State School in 2000 and 2001. Kelvin Grove is located in the Premier Beattie’s electoral district in Central Brisbane.

This Education agreement is also a natural extension of the MOU with SC Educational Television and Queensland’s AccessED for K-12 Educational Media. An outcome of the MOU is a cooperative web-site, EdMate, which was developed by students in both states and is available for schools in both states to access.

Sharing knowledge and learning has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the Sister-State relationship between Queensland and South Carolina.

 International Business Student Exchange

A new project underway is the exchange between the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina and Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Business so students from both states can benefit from the study of International Business. The project will allow up to eight graduate students in both states to participate in the exchange for one semester during the year. The first students began participating in Fall 2002.

Tourism Student Exchange

University tourism students can also participate in an exchange program. Students from South Carolina’s Johnson and Wales University, Clemson University, University of South Carolina and Coastal Carolina University will engage in exchanges with Queensland’s University of Sunshine Coast, James Cook University (and potentially students from the University of Queensland and Griffith University).

Koala Update

Governor Hodges and Premier Beattie in front of the Koala Knockabout Exhibit at the Riverbanks Zoo.

The Koala Knockabout exhibit at Riverbanks Zoo was dedicated by Governor Hodges, Premier Beattie, and Satch Krantz, Executive Director, Riverbanks Zoo with associated Board Members of the Zoo (http://www.riverbanks.org/html/s05animals/p04koala.htm) during the delegation’s visit in March 2002. The koala is an official and highly regarded symbol of Australia. They are considered a national treasure and are a protected species. Through the commitment of Queensland to the Sister-State relationship, Riverbanks Zoo has received a pair of male koalas in January 2002. The transfer of the koalas involved the work of several people, namely Dr. Hugh Lavery, Chairman of Australian Environment International, and Ed Diebold, Director of Animal Collections at Riverbanks Zoo. The koalas were transferred to Columbia from Hirakawa Zoo in Kagoshima City, Japan, under a special agreement initiated by the Queensland Government. The gift of the koalas signifies a special commitment to the sister state relationship and promotes awareness of the state’s friendship.

South Carolina and Queensland are working together to facilitate the transfer of female koalas to join the two males at Riverbanks. This will be in accord with the Species Survival Plan to ensure the procreation of the northern species of koala and is supported by the American Zoo Association.

Trade Development Updates

Ballandean Wines

The delegation from Queensland announced a new business relationship between SC's Capital Wine and Beverage, South Carolina ’s biggest independent wine distributor, and Queensland's Ballandean Wine (http://www.ballandean-estate.com.au ). Capital Wine signed a contract to be the exclusive distributor of the Ballandean Australian wine in the United States.

Following the presentation several years ago of a 1996 Ballandean Estate Cabernet to Governor Jim Hodges by Premier Beattie, a $250,000 contract has been signed by Ballandean Estate in Queensland and Capital Wine and Beverage. The agreement, which is a direct result of the Sister State agreement, will allow Ballandean Estate wines to be imported and distributed in the USA by Capital Wine and Beverage. Capital Wine and Beverage will ship from South Carolina to other US States as demand for Ballandean Estate wine grows, following discussions in South Carolina between that company and Ian Henderson, Wine Maker and Export Manager for Ballandean Estate Wines.

Biotechnology

Priority in the delegation’s visit was given to discussion of areas of mutual endeavor and benefit that would lead to business and investment opportunities for both South Carolina and Queensland. Through discussions between the Department of Commerce and the Queensland delegation, it was agreed that 1) the Queensland Department of State Development and the SC Department of Commerce find new ways of cooperation with priority on business and investment opportunities, 2) search for manufacturing and distribution sites for pharmaceutical and biotech products in SC, 3) Queensland to provide SC with a seat on its North America Biotechnology Advisory Board, and 4) Dr. Jim Morris and other delegates from South Carolina are invited to all Queensland events at Bio 2002 in Toronto, Canada.

University of South Carolina Nano-Technology Institute and Technology Incubator

The Premier’s delegation toured the NanoCenter and Technology Incubator at the University of South Carolina and were briefed on the mission of both sites.

Nano-Technology at USC

The USC ’s NanoCenter (http://www.nano.sc.edu ) is a focal point for science and engineering studies of nanometer-scale structures, their unique properties, and their integration into functional units. It was created to foster cross-cutting and multidisciplinary research and education efforts involving faculty members whose expertise derives from fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.

USC ’s Technology Incubator

The mission of the Technology Incubator (http://www.spirit.sc.edu) is to recruit, build and deploy new technology-driven companies that support the development of a highly-skilled workforce, advance technology and research through the development of new products and services, and enhance the economic development of South Carolina through the creation of wealth and opportunities.

 Nano-technology in Queensland

There are potential linkages between the University of South Carolina and the Queensland initiative for the Australian Institute for BioEngineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN).The AIBN is being developed at the University of Queensland and is receiving funding through the Smart State Research Facilities Fund. It will have a focus on nanomedical devices, drug delivery systems, diagnostic devices, tissue engineering and biomaterials.

Queensland ’s Incubator - iLab/Queensland Entrepreneurs (QE)

A linkage to SC’s technology incubator is Queensland Entrepreneurs. There is potential for collaboration, since QE actively supports investment in home-grown innovation. Queensland's future as a modern economy is increasingly being driven by innovation – the conversion of knowledge and ideas into commercial or public benefit. It ensures that people with new ideas are encouraged to bring these concepts to positive and practical fruition. QE encourages entrepreneurs to successfully develop their new ideas and concepts through:

  • Mentoring
  • Commercialization advice
  • Facilitating introductions to investors, joint venture partners and other entrepreneurs.

QE provides constructive advice to help remedy 'roadblocks' as entrepreneurs work to successfully commercialize their new technology. By helping aspiring entrepreneurs in this respect, QE is able to identify, at an early stage, the potential viability of a new technology.

Panel Discussion on Tourism and Travel

The Queensland and South Carolina representatives on the panel provided presentations on their responses to the effects on the tourism industry in their respective States of September 11th. Both states experienced much the same response, and both states are looking for growth in the sector this year.

Both states are working toward a cooperative approach between the respective tourism authorities to publicize key tourist attractions in each state through their own tourism infrastructure, including websites. Premier Beattie is working with Queensland’s Tourism Minister, Merri Rose, to review proposals from South Carolina.

Delegation Visit – Outcomes

Further developments from the Queensland Delegation visit in 2002.

  1. Discussions have taken place between the Townsville City Council http://www.townsvilleonline.com.au and the City of Charleston http://www.ci.charleston.sc.us concerning a possible special relationship between the two cities, following the inclusion of Paul Askern of the Townsville City Council in the Premier ’s delegation to South Carolina. Townsville and Charleston have many common features which lend themselves to the development of Sister City links, in particular:
  • population size
  • coastal cities with important ports
  • home to large military bases
  • large universities, including teaching hospitals
  • aquariums and important tourism sectors
  • a reputation for progress and development
  • important regional centers in their states

Mr. Paul Askern from Townsville City Council met with Mayor Pro Tempore Rev. Jimmy Gallant III of Charleston to explore the development of city-to-city links.

The outcome of these discussions was as follows;

    • recognition that the similar characteristics of each city provided a good basis upon which to develop relations in the future
    • noting of the existing exchange program for students between Townsville and Charleston as a result of links between the State Tourism Departments of their respective universities (this exchange program was an initiative under the Sister State agreement)
    • an agreement for staff of each Council to remain in active contact to further explore the development formal links in the future
    • an indication that Charleston would be prepared to consider sending a representative on a future State of Carolina visit to Queensland to gain greater familiarity with Townsville and the Queensland region.

Overall, the contact between these local government administrations is a positive first step in developing what may become a formal sister city agreement between Townsville and the City of Charleston and a broadening of the overall relationship between South Carolina and Queensland.
  1. Consideration by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism of the hybrid toilets developed in Townsville for National Parks in South Carolina.
  2. Linkage by South Carolina companies and the South Carolina Department of Commerce (http://www.callsouthcarolina.com/callsc.cfm?page=&document=home ) with Queensland companies and the Department of State Development (DSD) (http://www.sd.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/htdocs/global/frontdoor.cfm) in Queensland through DSD’s database of all Queensland manufacturers and suppliers which is used to match companies with a range of opportunities and for matchmaking purposes relating to incoming trade investment missions. The DSD team, coordinated by Bob Mann, will hold further discussions with Will Lacey of the South Carolina Department of Commerce to pursue this initiative.
  3. Under the umbrella of the Tourism MOU between Queensland and South Carolina, Professor Deborah Ralston, Dean of the Faculty of Business at the University of the Sunshine Coast visited:
  • Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
  • University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
  • Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina
  • Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina
  • College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina
  • Johnson and Wales University, Charleston, South Carolina

The next steps are to implement bilateral agreements under the Memorandum of Understanding for exchange and study abroad.

The University of the Sunshine Coast was on the receiving end of the exchange and hosted two students in July 2002 from Coastal Carolina University and Johnson and Wales University.
  1. In the light of the signing of the Education MOU during the delegation’s visit, further work will be expedited to ensure early implementation of teacher exchanges.
  2. Opportunity for a limited term Public Service exchange between the two states will be further discussed.
  3. Both states will continue to develop their websites. The main focus will be on the Sister-State relationship and its advantages and providing contact details in all areas of joint endeavor and benefit.

OFFICIAL PARTY

Honourable Peter Beattie, MP, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade

Honourable Bob Gibbs, Trade and Investment Commissioner
Queensland Government Los Angeles Office

Dr. Leo Keliher, Director-General
Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Mr. Rob Whiddon, Chief of Staff
Office of the Premier

Mr. John Strano, Executive Director, Investment Attraction
Department of State Development

Mr. Steve Webb, Visits and Protocol Coordinator
Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Mr. Ian Schram, Senior Constable
Queensland Police Protection Officer

Ms. Adrienne Ward, Director of Marketing and Business Development
Accenture

Mr. Mark Nolan, Director
Hawker Britton

Mr. Mark Stockwell
Stockwell Building and Development

Professor Deborah Ralston, Dean, Faculty of Business
University of Sunshine Coast

Mr. Paul Askern, Director of Corporate Services/Deputy CEO
Townsville City Council

Mr. Ian Henderson, Wine Maker and Export Manager
Ballandean Estate Wines

Queensland Delegation #6: June 2002

The Queensland Minister for Innovation and Information Economy, the Honorable Paul Lucas, MP came to Columbia in June 2002 to 1) continue discussions aimed at achieving close cooperation and collaboration on nanotechnology issues between Queensland and South Carolina and 2) to pursue talks with officials of the Technology Incubator. While in Columbia, Mr. Lucas met with the following representatives: Governor Jim Hodges, Mike LeFever, Deputy Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office, Dr. Jim Morris, Chief of Staff, Department of Commerce, Doug McKay, Director, Technology Intensive Industry, Department of Commerce, Dr. Joel Stevenson, Director, University of South Carolina, Technology Incubator, and Professor Richard Adams, Director, NanoCenter. Accompanying Mr. Lucas as part of the delegation were John Kenny, Executive Director, Emerging Technologies, Department of Innovation and Information Economy and Allison Smith, Senior Media Advisor, Office of the Minister.

Queensland Delegation #7: October 2002

The Memorandum of Understanding on Education signed by Governor Hodges, Premier Beattie, and State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum during the delegation visit in March 2002 was the central subject of a visit by two representatives of Education Queensland. Allan Langdon and Phil Cook spent a day at the South Carolina Department of Education meeting with state and local school officials in an effort to create linkages and program initiatives as outlined in the sixth MOU to be signed between Queensland and South Carolina. Jesse Torres of the SC Department of Education coordinated the program at the State Department of Education.

While in South Carolina, the Queensland officials also met with Governor Jim Hodges, Chief of Staff Billy Boan, Director of Education Policy Doug McTeer, and John Durst, Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

During a trip to Charleston, Mr. Langdon and Mr. Cook met with Dr. John Crotts, director of South Carolina’s participation in the MOU for Tourism Student Exchange. Substantive issues regarding room and board for exchange students were discussed with an expectation of making the exchange less expensive for students who choose to live in university housing. While in Charleston, the delegates met with Dr. Chris Andrews, Executive Director of the South Carolina Aquarium. The purpose of the visit and tour was to gain an understanding of how a popular tourist attraction can also be a standards-based education resource to the state’s public school system.

The delegation visited several existing education-related programs established as part of the sister-state relationship. Progress reports were received from Richland Northeast High School, Satchel Ford Elementary School, SC Education Television Network, and the Richland County Public Library. While in Columbia the delegation had lunch with Governor Hodges’ Cabinet Directors and a tour of the Koala Knockabout at the Riverbanks Zoo.

Deputy Chief of Staff Mike LeFever and Ms. Chantal Fryer, Executive Assistant, served as the delegation’s hosts during the visit.

Delegation

Mr. Allan Landgon
Assistant Director
Education Queensland International
Brisbane, Queensland

Mr. Phil Cook
Senior Principal
Harristown State High School
Toowoomba, Queensland

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