Queensland considers adding fossil as new state emblem

The Palaszczuk government is narrowing down a shortlist of fossils that could join Queensland’s collection of state emblems. Here are some of the prehistoric ideas that have been raised. VOTE IN OUR POLL

A collection of fossils will be put to the public in the coming months to determine what could become Queensland’s next state emblem.

The Palaszczuk government is still narrowing down a shortlist of options after it announced almost a year ago that Queensland’s assortment of state emblems may be widened to include a fossil.

The famous Diamantinasaurus dinosaur in Winton and the massive Kronosaurus found in Richmond are among the proposals that have been publicly floated.

If Queenslanders were to choose a dinosaur, the Sunshine State would become the first state in Australia to have a dinosaur as its fossil emblem.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visiting the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum in Winton in 2015. Picture: Mark Calleja

A government spokeswoman said a shortlist of fossil emblems would be shared with Queenslanders for further consultation in the coming months, with a decision expected later this year.

“Consultation has taken place with key stakeholders from the tourism sector, museums, First Nations Queenslanders and several local government representatives from across regional Queensland,” she said.

Education co-ordinator for the Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton, Grace Elliott, said the museum surveyed local schoolchildren a couple of years ago, and determined to push for the Diamantinasaurus to be Queensland’s fossil emblem.

“Australia has so many amazing, incredible fossils. We just want Queensland to have a state fossil,” she said.

Fossils in the Australian Age of Dinosaur Museum.

Matilda's (Diamantinasaurus matildae) Bones.

“A state emblem is something to be proud of.

“If Queensland could be the first state to have a fossil emblem as a dinosaur, that’s extra bragging rights.”

Ms Elliott said the Diamantinasaurus was 15m to 18m long, about 3.5m tall and weighed 20 to 25 tons.

Diamantinasaurus matildae fossils at the Australian Age of Dinosaur Museum.

Richmond Mayor John Wharton said the fossil emblem should the “mighty” Kronosaurus, describing it as the “king of the inland sea”

“The inland sea once encompassed all of the black soil plans of Queensland, down to NSW and South Australia, a huge expanse of country,” he said.

“We believe that land is now the most productive in the country.”

An artist’s impression of a Kronosaurus swimming in Australia’s prehistoric inland sea. Picture: Lisa Wallace/Kronosaurus Korner

All of Queensland’s current emblems were selected off the back of public popularity or through a consultation process.

They include the koala as the state’s animal emblem, the brolga as the bird emblem, the sapphire as the state gem, and the Cooktown orchid as the floral emblem.

Originally published as Queensland considers adding fossil as new state emblem