New life is breathed into the Legend of King O'Malley this Saturday with the launch of a new 30-minute movie at the Mill Gallery in Yeppoon. It's the adventure of a regional Australian icon that reverberates across the continent. .

Coowonga, a local fisherman was to have helped cure O'Malley - an American - of tuberculosis, near Zilzie in 1880s, by feeding him Burdekin plums and oysters. .

Recovered, O'Malley moved on to Melbourne and Adelaide two years later. He became a member of SA Legislature, was our Minister for Home Affairs, founded the Commonwealth Bank, and determined the site for our nation's capital, Canberra. .

Written, filmed and produced by Liz Huf of Central Queensland University (edited by Sheila McCarthy), the movie also covers O'Malley's participation in the building the Transcontinental Railway from Adelaide to Kalgoorlie, WA.

"He was supposed to have put lavatories on trains," according to Huf.

A plaque outside the Emu Park Museum marks O'Malley's arrival to the area and commemorates the establishment of Commonwealth Bank. Inside, there is a unique display of O'Malley memorabilia.

The evening begins at 630PM with a Revivalist Meeting (O'Malley was a religious man) and Soup Kitchen. The Salvation Army will "hand round the hat" as well.

The movie was made possible by support from CQU and Livingstone Shire Regional Arts Development Fund.

Please call Dale Childs at The Mill Gallery for more information on 4939 1311 or 4939 5676.

Picture 1: An old cartoon O'Malley.

Picture 2: Editor Sheila McCarthy (l) and Liz Huf (r) of Central Queensland University proudly display their latest movie on King O'Malley, legendary Australian icon.