Rain and song for Interpretation Centre

THE Isisford Shire Council’s punt on a venturing palaeontologist from the University of Queensland paid off last weekend with the official launch of the Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre.

The gala opening featured everything from singing students to Commonwealth dignitaries, and attracted over 650 locals and interested passers-by.

The Interpretation Centre’s main drawcard is a fossilised replica of the world’s oldest crocodile, Isisfordia Duncani, which was found in the shire by former deputy mayor Ian Duncan, as well as a life-sized model of the snappy critter.

The opening of the state-of-the-art centre was the culmination of more than six years of work by an international team of palaeontologists, headed by Doctor Steve Salisbury from the UQ’s School of Integrative Biology.

Dr Salisbury was back in Isisford over the weekend, addressing the crowd at the opening.

"I would like to thank the Shire Council for the commitment shown to me and this project," he said to the crowd. They have been exceedingly supportive and, incredibly, they trusted me when I told them that what they had discovered was going to have a great impact on the world of palaeontology."

The Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre not only features the $20,000 Isisfordia Duncani display, but also showcases local fauna and flora, works by local artists, nature displays and old Isisford relics.

A 60-seat theatrette is also incorporated into the building to screen local history presentations, while a modern café will service the hungry bellies of locals and tourists.

The main street of Isisford was cordoned off for the opening with guests and dignitaries including Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce, Member for Gregory Vaughan Johnson, Dr Salisbury and Isisford Mayor Joe Owens.

After songs by local school children and formal speeches, the Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre was officially declared open.

Hundreds of people passed through the new doors on Friday evening, staying on for a free barbecue and drinks in the grounds of the shire council.

The evening was made all the more eventful with an unusual but steady downpour of rain falling across the region early on Saturday morning.