Singapore’s Flower Dome to pay homage to Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers

Geoff McDonald announced Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers will take to a renowned international stage.

Toowoomba Regional Council mayor, Geoff McDonald announced the scheduled for the 2024 Carnival of Flowers, alongside the carnival's first queen, Fay Clayden. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

The diamond Jubilee of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is set to be a sensation for all the senses.

In its 75th year, the carnival has asserted itself as a true crown jewel of the Queensland’s tourism calendar, and will be acknowledged on the international stage for the first time.

In 2023, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers won gold award at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in the Major Festival and Event category.

In 2024, the Flower Dome in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay will pay tribute to the regional carnival from September 23 to November 3, in a pioneering exhibition.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald said this is the first time the Flower Dome will pay homage to a region, rather than a country.

“It’s a real tip of the hat to this event,” Mr McDonald said.

Mr McDonald said he was proud to make the announcement standing next to great-grandmother of 10, Fay Clayden, the first queen of the event 75 years ago.

Mrs Clayden was crowned as the carnival queen in 1950, after she raised three times more money than the other entrants into the quest.

75 years later, Mrs Clayden remains the perfect carnival poster girl.

Carnival marshall, Lesley Nichols said the carnival is Toowoomba’s crowning achievement, and Mrs Clayden is the jewel.

“(Mrs Clayden) is the epitome of elegance,” Ms Nichols said.

“I adore the woman - she’s just brilliant.

“The carnival is just the be all and end all.”

With more than 80 events across four weekends, the 75th year of the Carnival of Flowers is truly set to be the diamond of Toowoomba’s event calendar this year.