Residents invited to TRC’s 2024 Australia Day events on January 26

Toowoomba Region residents are invited to attend 2024 civic Australia Day award presentations and celebrations on Friday, January 26. (*See event listings below)

Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald said the community-run activities were a fitting way to mark our national day.

“I encourage residents to join the festivities marking our national day across the Region,” Mayor McDonald said.

“Regardless of where residents mark our national day, we continue to live in a special part of Australia.

“It is an occasion to reflect and celebrate the best aspects of living in Australia. We should not lose sight of our good fortune to live in this part of Australia.”

Toowoomba Regional Council Australia Day coordinating committee chair Cr James O’Shea said local Australia Day organising committees and various Council staff and community volunteers had worked behind the scenes in recent months to organise the civic activities.

“Council and the organising committee volunteers encourage residents to fly the Aussie flag and join activities to share the national spirit,” Cr O’Shea said.

“There is no better way to celebrate Australia Day than with other Australians. Australia Day is a fitting occasion to celebrate the many and varied attributes and values of our national character.

“Australia Day awards will be presented to our achievers and community-minded citizens. Councillors will be attending events across the Region.”

Mayor McDonald will present the Toowoomba service area Australia Day awards and the W. H Groom scholarship award at Picnic Point from 9.30am.

“One hundred residents will be presented with their Australian citizenship certificates at a ceremony hosted by Council at the Annex on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs on January 25,” Mayor McDonald said.

“This allows our new citizens to attend January 26 functions as Australian citizens. There is no formal requirement for this event to be staged on Australia Day. It is an honour to welcome our new countrymen and women and their families and share their joy at becoming Australian citizens.”

For information about Toowoomba Region Australia Day events and associated Australia Day activities, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/events

TRC’s regional events: Toowoomba – Picnic Point 8.30-11am. 8.30am: Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony; 9am: flag raising, national anthem by High Altitude Harmony, free sausage sizzle, damper, flag tattoos and Dreamtime games; 9.30am: Australia Day prayer, Mayoral message, Australia Day affirmation and flag presentation; 9.45am: presentation of Toowoomba City Australia Day awards and W. H. Groom scholarship; 10.30am: Community entertainment and free ice creams. (tea, coffee and soft drink available for purchase on the morning).

Cambooya – Cambooya Recreation Grounds, Lucy Street, Cambooya 8-10am. 8am free barbecue breakfast, free children’s face painting, coffee van. Awards ceremony from 9am.

Clifton – Pioneer Park, 99 King Street, Clifton. Free barbecue breakfast and the Australia Day awards ceremony from 7am to 10am. Please BYO chair or picnic blanket.

Crows Nest – Centenary Park, Crows Nest 7.30-10.30am. Breakfast available for a gold coin donation (bacon and egg or sausage burger). 9am flag raising and presentation of Australia Day awards. Tea, coffee lamingtons served after the official ceremony. Entertainment by Cloud 9 and Adele Adams, with Paul Fleming reciting bush poetry. (Wet weather venue: Anglican Church Hall)

Goombungee – Goombungee Hall, King Street, Goombungee. 8am free community breakfast, entertainment by Kadi Lillis and children’s activities; 9am official ceremony, including presentation of Australia Day awards.

Highfields – At the civic forecourt outdoor area at the Highfields Library. 7am free breakfast, entertainment by High Country Community Band and Sing Australia. Please BYO chair or picnic blanket. Followed by Australia Day awards ceremony through to 9am. Address by Australia Day Ambassador Dr Tim Baker, author, thought leader and international leadership consultant.

Jondaryan Woolshed: 264 Jondaryan-Evanslea Road, Jondaryan: Back to the Woolshed – a two-day family event from January 26-27 from 8.30am-4.30pm. Entry fees apply. Enjoy live music, historical displays and browse Australia’s farming heritage. For full details, including information about accommodation and camping, visit http://www.jondaryanwoolshed.com/

Millmerran (incorporating Cecil Plains) at Millmerran Lions Park, corner Margaret and Edward streets, Millmerran 8-11am. 8-9am free barbecue breakfast; awards ceremony 9-10am with acknowledgement of traditional custodians, national anthem, Councillor address, announcement of award nominees and recipients; from 10am meet and greet.

Oakey – Arthur Shooter Park, Stanley Street, Oakey, 7.30am to 12.30pm. Barbecue breakfast in the park on sale from 7.30am; award ceremony from 8.30am, includes acknowledgement of traditional custodians, flag raising, national anthem, Councillor address, award presentations; 9.30am free morning tea and billy boiling competition. 10am: Team and individual events: The Oakey dunny race, open and junior iron man races, raft race, thong throwing, tug-of-war, billy kart races and sack races with prize presentations from noon. Bring a chair, picnic blanket, hat and sunscreen.

Pittsworth – 7.30am Free barbecue breakfast at Pittsworth Centenary Park by the Pittsworth Men’s Shed, free children’s face painting 7.30-8.30am; 9am Pittsworth Town Hall, Park Street, Pittsworth until 11am includes acknowledgement of traditional custodians, flag bearers enter Town Hall, national anthem, Councillor address, address by Australia Day Ambassador Elijah Buol OAM, chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Queensland, presentation of Pittsworth Australia Day awards. Damper, Cook’s soft drinks, tea, coffee on sale after the official ceremony. Prizes to be won. Please BYO chair or picnic blanket.