Vince EvertPrint Page 
Location
| Address: | Elderslie Street, Winton, 4735 |
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| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -22.390151 Long: 143.038305 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Industry |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Friday 27th September, 2013 |
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VINCE EVERT MEMORIAL
Vince Evert operated the Gift and Gem Centre mainly as a furniture shop and opal display from the early 1960`s. Vince placed a large bound volume at the entrance of the shop, titled "The History of the Pioneers", which he invited visitors to sign.
By September 1967 he had recorded a large number of signatures and saw that there was a much larger volume of tourist traffic through Winton than was generally recognised. He had the vision to see the need to promote tourism as an industry in the town, based on Winton`s rich history, delightful and varied landscapes, opal, and people.
In September 1967 Vince asked Shire Chairman, Kempson Maxwell, to call a public meeting with the intention to form a Tourist Association to promote tourism in Winton and the Outback.
The meeting was called and took place in the upstairs lounge of the North Gregory Hotel on the 3rd of October 1967 at which the Winton Tourist Promotion Association was formed, with Vince as the founding chairman, supported by a committee of local people.
Vince Evert ( 1932 - 1998 )
Father of Tourism in Western Queensland
Instigator and founding chairman of Winton Tourist Promotion Association 3rd October 1967.
Honoured with life membership of Winton Tourist Promotion Association in 1984.
Founding chairman of Queensland Boulder Opal Association 1992.
Received Trade Award to promote opal sales to the United States 1996.
