Media Release
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BOGGO ROAD GAOL BOGGO Physical Address Annerley Road, Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia, 4102 ACN 123 126 803 ROAD Postal Address PO Box 232, Sunnybank, QLD, 4109 ABN 46 123 126 803 Bookings 0411 111 903 GAOL [email protected] /boggoroadgaol Escape the 21st Century Events 0478 191 901 [email protected] BRISBANE QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE - BOGGO ROAD GAOL OPENING DECEMBER 2012 WEDNESDAY 5/12/2012 Boggo Road Gaol – In the 1980s Boggo Road Gaol gained national headlines for a series of dramatic escapes, rooftop pro- tests and hunger strikes. Since its opening in 1883 “Boggo” has created controversy. Home of lifers and killers, both men and women have called the prison “home”. Between 1883 and 1913, Boggo Road acted as a place of execution. Forty-two individuals were hanged from the Gaol gallows. Most of the Gaol’s secrets are yet to be revealed. From December 2012, Boggo Road will reopen to the public after being closed for 7 years. The Newman State Government, after a long review process, has decided to award management rights to Jack Sim, director of Boggo Road Gaol Pty Ltd. Jack Sim is well known to the people of Brisbane as the man behind Ghost Tours Pty Ltd. Operating tours of many historic sites such as Toowong Cemetery, South Brisbane Cemetery, and previously Boggo Road Gaol, Mr Sim and the staff of Ghost Tours have earned a great reputation for quality experiences for locals, interstate and overseas visitors. Jack Sim first started tours at Boggo Road Gaol in 1998, and has spent 15 years lobbying to be given the opportunity to de- velop the tourism potential of this historic site. Between 1998 and 2005 Mr Sim ran historical tours, events and re-enactments with the Gaol’s theatre troupe, the Prison Players. Jack and his staff have kept the prison in the media spotlight, with regular stories being featured on Getaway, Great South East, and 4BC radio. After many years of uncertainty as to our future role, the new Government has recognised the importance of Boggo Road Gaol as a tourism attraction. We will develop this amazing heritage site into one of the “must do” experiences of Brisbane. It will create jobs in tourism, and see an asset of the people of Queensland reopened to them. We look forward to working with other stakeholders over the coming years. We would like to thank the Premier, Campbell Newman, and the Minister for Tourism, Jann Stuckey whose focus on tourism has made this happen. Through Historical Tours, Ghost Tours, Re-enactments with the Prison Players, Events and interpretive displays, Jack and his staff will bring the stories of “Boggo” to life. For more information contact Jack Sim – 0409 617 394 A new website for the Gaol is under development. Visit www.boggoroadgaol.com www.boggoroadgaol.com.