Residents invited to TRC’s 2025 Australia Day events on January 26

Toowoomba Region residents are invited to attend Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) 2025 civic Australia Day award presentations and celebrations on Sunday, January 26. (*See event listings below)

Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr 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.”

TRC 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 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 TRC Australia Day awards and the W. H Groom Centenary of Toowoomba scholarship award at Picnic Point from 9.45am.

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, 162 Tourist Road, Toowoomba, 8.30-11.30am. From 8.30am a Call to Order, Welcome to Country; from 9am a flag raising, National Anthem by Toowoomba Choral Society, free sausage sizzle, scones, flag tattoos and Dreamtime Games; from 9.30am an Australia Day Prayer, Mayoral Message, Australia Day affirmation and flag presentation; from 9.45am the William Henry Groom Scholarship winner and Australia Day award presentations; from 10am community entertainment and free ice creams. Tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available for purchase throughout the morning.

Cambooya – Cambooya Recreation Reserve, Lucy Street, Cambooya 7.30-9.30am. 7.30am free barbecue breakfast, free children’s face painting, entertainment, coffee van. Awards ceremony from 8.15am.

Cecil Plains (incorporating Millmerran) at the Cecil Plains Aquatic Centre, corner of Cheetham Street & Russell Avenue, Cecil Plains 8-11am. Free barbecue breakfast from 8-9am; awards ceremony 9-10am with acknowledgement of traditional custodians, national anthem, Councillor address, announcement of award nominees and recipients; from 10am meet and greet, free swim in the pool.

Clifton – Pioneer Park, 99 King Street, Clifton 7-10am. 7am: entertainment, free barbecue breakfast. To be followed by the Australia Day awards ceremony. Please BYO chair or picnic blanket.

Crows Nest – Centenary Park, Crows Nest 3.30-6.30pm. Entertainment from 3.30pm by Adele Adams & Cloud 9. Welcome, presentation of Australia Day awards, formalities from 4.30pm. Barbecue and entertainment from 5.30pm. (gold coin donation required, which goes to the community groups involved on the day)

Haden – Haden Hall, Boundary Street, Haden (Goombungee service area, former Rosalie). 8am to noon. Free breakfast will be available from 8am. Awards ceremony starting at 9am. Entertainment includes live music and face painting.

Highfields – At the civic forecourt outdoor area at the Highfields Library from 7-9am. 7am free barbecue breakfast and lamingtons, with entertainment and face painting. Coffee van on site. Australia Day awards ceremony from 8.15am. Includes address by Australia Day Ambassador, former professional boxer Jeff Horn. Mr Horn is a former WBO welterweight world titleholder and Olympian.

Jondaryan Woolshed: 264 Jondaryan-Evanslea Road, Jondaryan: Fun activities for the whole family from 9am to 3pm. A café is open, with heritage machinery displays, shearing, dog trials, treasure hunt for kids, whip cracking and more displays marking Australia’s farming heritage. Entry fees apply. 

Oakey – Arthur Shooter Park, Stanley Street, Oakey, 7.30am-noon. From 7.30am barbecue breakfast in the park on sale from the Oakey Lions Club. Award ceremony from 8.30-9.30am includes acknowledgement of traditional custodians, flag raising, national anthem, Councillor address, award presentations; 9.30am free morning tea followed by activities including billy boiling, the Oakey dunny race, truck pull, thong throwing, tug-of-war and sack races. Bring a chair, picnic blanket, hat and sunscreen.

Pittsworth – Pittsworth Town Hall and Centenary Park, Park Street, Pittsworth, 7.30-11am. Free barbecue breakfast at Pittsworth Centenary Park provided by the Pittsworth Men’s Shed from 7.30-8.30am followed at 9am by an awards ceremony in the Pittsworth Town Hall. Includes address by Australia Day Ambassador Paula Pool, who is a co-founder and manager of Fuel for Schools. There will be free face painting for children and morning tea will be available, with prizes to win after the awards ceremony.