The Riverside Boardwalk, Customs House and boats on the Fitzroy River will be lit up with blue light when Rockhampton marks United Nations World Diabetes Day...

A large number of activities will be held on Friday November 9 to highlight a sobering fact - that Rockhampton has one of the highest rates of diabetes in Queensland, especially Type 2.

LINK for a larger image of the event flier

Activities include the Stanwell Electric Blue Fashion Show, presented by CQUniversity-based team The Catwalk Company, and sponsored by Stanwell Power Station.

LINK for the Boardwalk Blue Line Up

There also will be the Stanwell Electric Blue Boardwalk Bands - local bands that will get feedback from an expert musical panel - and the Stanwell Electric Blue Wearable Art Competition.

Members of The Catwalk Company have been preparing for the Riverside event

Rockhampton Riverside Markets which are held on the second Friday of every month will be held on that evening also.

The Catwalk Company has scheduled a 'Stanwell Electric Blue Fashion Show' from 5pm-9pm on November 9 at the Riverside Markets in Quay Street, Rockhampton. This event in association with World Diabetes Day also features local bands, dance, wearable art, competitions, markets and food.

"The latest available figures show Mount Morgan (11.2%) and Rockhampton (7.3%) have diabetes rates far above state and national averages (of 5.2% and 4.3% respectively)," Jeanne Harp from The Catwalk Company said.

"To increase awareness of diabetes, on November 14 the United Nations has asked towns and cities throughout the world to turn a major landmark or monument blue , which is the official colour for United Nations World Diabetes Day," she said.

"Our World Diabetes Day celebrations will feature great activities but there also will be important messages about fighting this growing disease.

"Many of the activities will feature the talented young people of Central Queensland."

Activities include:

• Boardwalk Blue Project - this project to light up Riverside is sponsored by Ergon Energy.
• Stanwell Electric Blue Fashion Show - The Catwalk Company, which is sponsored by Jetts Fitness, will hold a fashion show at the Riverside Boardwalk Amphitheatre. The Catwalk Company, which has members aged between 13 and 25, was established earlier this year to promote healthy and responsible lifestyles. Sponsors of this event include Stanwell Power Station, Ergon, Rockhampton Regional Council's Sport and Education Services, Stockland Shopping Centre, Red Frogs, Rockhampton Riverside Markets, CQUniversity, Diabetes Australia-Queensland, Diabetes Rockhampton Services Providers and Diabetes 1 Capricorn Connections.
• Stanwell Electric Blue Boardwalk Bands - a number of invited local bands will play. To help these young bands improve and promote themselves a special guest panel will get tips and feedback to them.
• Stanwell Electric Blue Wearable Art Competition to be paraded by the students of Mount Morgan and Rockhampton High schools.

There is an epidemic of diabetes throughout the world. However, Type 2 diabetes is preventable and then manageable through correct nutrition and exercise.  Fortunately Rockhampton has many programs and support groups in place to assist those effected by diabetes including Katie Mitchell, Coordinator Type 1 Diabetes, Capricorn Connection (T1DCC) Ph: 0429 01 5454 Email: t1dcc@yahoo.com.au

R'ton Diabetes Educators

• Mari Balderson Program Coordinator Chronic Disease Prevention & Intervention Program Email - mailto:mari_balderson@health.qld.gov.au%20Ph 07 4920 7926
• Rockhampton Hospital Diabetes Centre Level 2 Rockhampton Hospital Ph 4920 6495/4920 7531 Email - Le-Ann_Nitz@health.qld.gov.au
• Marie Melksham Email - marie_melksham@yahoo.com.au  0419 742 495
• Lisa Grice Email - grice_al@bigpond.net.au  0437 220 083
• Veronica Mills 0407 127 512 Email - v.mills@cqu.edu.au