Show your pride at region’s 2020 Australia Day activities

Show your national pride by joining any of Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) community celebrations planned for Australia Day on Sunday, January 26.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said the national day was a time to reflect on recent challenges, including the bushfires in our region and the more recent fires around the country, while also celebrating the best aspects of living in Australia.

“We have a lot to be thankful for when you consider our good fortune to live in Australia, compared with many places around the world,” Mayor Antonio said.

“The herculean efforts of all firefighters, fellow emergency services personnel and all community agencies that pitched in after our fires reflect the best aspects of the Australian character.

“We should be proud and grateful to every one of these people for their commitment to keeping our community safe here and around the country.”

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Australia Day coordinating committee chair Cr Mike Williams said the various Council-sponsored events across the region offered a great family outing.

“Council is pleased to be involved with regional Australia Day ceremonies at Pittsworth, Oakey, Highfields, Crows Nest, Millmerran, Cambooya, Clifton, Goombungee and the Picnic Point function in Toowoomba,” Cr Williams said.

“On Australia’s national day it is fitting to celebrate the many and varied attributes and values of our national character.

“Council and the organising committees encourage residents to fly the Aussie flag and join activities to share this national spirit.

“There is no better way to celebrate Australia Day than with other Australians. I urge residents to join community events or other neighbourhood celebrations across the region.

“Australia Day awards will be presented to our achievers and community-minded citizens with most events featuring short flag raising functions and addresses before a host of games, entertainment and novelty events.”

“Crows Nest festivities switch to an evening function this year from 4-8pm at Centenary Park”.

Toowoomba’s Picnic Point function will be held from 8am to noon with a Welcome to Country followed by a flag raising ceremony with the national anthem to be performed by Sing Australia.

After a performance by the Toowoomba Municipal Band and an Australia Day prayer, the 2020 Toowoomba city Australia Day awards and the W. H Groom scholarship will be presented by Mayor Antonio from 9am.

Toowoomba City Cheerleaders start more entertainment from 9.45am followed by the Toowoomba Repertory Theatre Society, the Darling Downs Revue and the Toowoomba Caledonian Pipe Band.

A free sausage sizzle starts at 11am ahead of a performance by Topp Gear with free ice creams at 11.30am.

Regional events: Toowoomba – Picnic Point, 8am to noon. 8am: Town Crier, smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, climbing wall, big slide, jumping castle; 8.30am: flag raising, national anthem (Sing Australia), free damper, snow cones, fairy floss; 8.35am: Toowoomba Municipal Band; 8.45am: Australia Day prayer, Mayoral welcome, Australia Day affirmation and flag presentation; 9am: Australia Day awards, W. H. Groom scholarship presentation; tea and lamington cake sales by Girl Guides; 9.45am: Poem by Toowoomba City cheerleaders; 9.50am: historical presentation by Toowoomba Repertory Theatre Society, Darling Downs Revue and Toowoomba Caledonian Pipe Band; 11am: free sausage sizzle; entertainment by Topp Gear; 11.30am: free ice creams.

Pittsworth – Pittsworth Pioneer Historical Village. Breakfast from 7am, events start 8am, Australia Day ceremony and award presentations from 9am, billy kart races and cross cut saw competition from 10am. All free.

Oakey – Arthur Shooter Park, Stanley Street, Oakey, 7.30am to 12.30pm. Breakfast on sale from 7.30am with entertainment. Flag parade and awards ceremony from 8.30am. Free morning tea from 9.45am. From 10am: Celebrations including the Oakey Creek Cup raft race (in the fashion of the Henley-on-Todd Regatta), iron man, billy boiling, sack races, ring throwing.

Highfields – Highfields Pioneer Village, 9am-5pm. Awards ceremony from 2pm. Free billy tea and damper 2.30-3.30pm. Bush band entertainment from 3.30-5pm. (See full day’s program below) For full day’s program visit, www.highfieldspioneervillage.com.au (Country music and a wide range of events and demonstrations from 9am.

Crows Nest – Centenary Park 4-8pm. Celebrations start 4pm, awards ceremony 5pm followed by dinner at 6pm. Gold coin donation for barbecue.

Millmerran – Millmerran Lions Park, Mary Street, 7-11.30am. Hot breakfast from 7.30am. Awards ceremony at 9am followed by games and activities. Morning tea at 11am.

Cambooya – Cambooya Recreation Grounds, Lucy Street, 8-10.30am. Free barbecue and awards ceremony.

Clifton – F. E. Logan Hall, Meara Place, Clifton, 7-9.30am. Gold coin hot breakfast and awards ceremony.

Goombungee – Goombungee Public Hall, 8-10.30am. Free breakfast from 8am, awards ceremony from 9.30am – national anthem, Australia Day prayer, guest speaker Mr Graeme Motley, award presentations. Jumping castle and face painting from 8.30am.

For a full schedule of regional events, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/australiaday