Promoting rural communities

Queensland Cotton is supporting a unique event that offers inspiring songs by some of Australia's best operatic performers in the grand pastoral setting of Jimbour plains.

The company has become a major sponsor of the 2005 Queensland Music Festival's 'Opera at Jimbour' with the aim of promoting and strengthening rural communities.

Already the founding sponsor of Australian Cottonweek, Queensland Cotton believes in getting behind initiatives that showcase the Dalby region's vibrant, modern lifestyle.

The Opera features the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and leading singers such as Ding Yi, Lucas de Jong, Deborah Humble and Judith Henley performing in a purpose-built amphitheatre at Jimbour Station.

Queensland Cotton's Darling Downs Regional Manager Brett McLaren says the opera brings a new cultural focus to the area which helps narrow the gap between city and country by encouraging an understanding of the issues that connect rural and urban communities.

"The music festival not only brings something to the country but also presents a positive image of where it is headed.

"The statewide aspect of the event gives rural Queensland an opportunity to show we mean business.

"We're an international company but rural issues drive our business so we make sure we are fully supportive of those issues."

Queensland Cotton also understands that supporting cultural opportunities which enhance the Dalby lifestyle helps to attract highly skilled staff to the region.

"Queensland Cotton insists on extremely motivated, skilled workers and you only get that when you have vibrant towns that attract those people.

"We are passionate about delivering a high quality product and that is reflected in the support we get from our grower base," Brett said.

QC is a major employer within the Dalby region and offers services to growers as well as value adding the rural product.

An Australian-based company, it evolved from the Cotton Marketing Board to become publicly listed in 1992.

Now a leader in the international cotton market, the company credits this achievement to providing quality products and services while valuing its relationship with suppliers, growers and spinners.

Queensland Cotton supplies superior cotton to spinners 12 months of the year and recently expanded into grain and pulse trading at Mt Tyson.

"We provide a high quality end product and attribute our success to reputation and excellent branding."