Beatles' fans catch yellow submarine to Toowoomba - The Queensland Times

The Beatles exhibit is coming to Cobb and Co. Museum

TOOWOOMBA'S Cobb and Co Museum is hosting a Beatles exhibit designed to attract fans from around Queensland.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said that 50 years to the day after their first concert in Australia, Beatles memorabilia collected by Toowoomba resident Jeff Black would go on display when the exhibit opened on June 12.

"The quirky tone of the exhibit, 'Welcome to Australia … which one am I talking to?' is clear from the exhibit's title," Mr Walker said.

"Those are a local journalist's famous first words spoken to The Beatles when the band landed in Darwin in 1964, something Beatles fans like myself will remember well."

Mr Walker said Cobb and Co was part of the Government funded Queensland Museum Network, that includes the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Queensland Museum and Sciencentre and the Workshops Rail Museum..

"We promised at the election to grow tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy and boosting cultural tourism, including this exhibit, is part of our strong plan for Queensland's future," he said.

The new exhibit features a recreated bedroom of the era decorated with curtains made from special Beatles fabric and Beatles posters on the wall.

"There will also be footage of the band in concert, photos, original Brisbane Festival Hall seats cups, plates and bracelets.

"Toowoomba will be the only place people can see this show, so people will travel far and wide. It's not only a great cultural event for the city, but it's going to attract tourists who will book accommodation, eat meals, and buy goods from local businesses."

Collector Mr Black said the 1964 tour was an important turning point in Australia's youth culture and kicked off his passion for collecting Beatles memorabilia.

"I started collecting because I loved their music - every album they brought out was something new and other bands were just trying to catch up," he said.

FACT BOX

• Opening of the exhibition on Thursday, June 12, at 5pm.


• Jeff Black will give a presentation on July 2 at 2.30pm, as part of Cobb and Co Museum's Curator Conversation series of talks.


• Closes 12 October 2014.


• For more information go to http://ift.tt/Sq14hh