Community & Business
23 January, 2025
No Australia Day Raft Race
There will be many great events this Sunday at Oakey’s Australia Day celebrations at Arthur Shooter Park, but these will not include a raft race or inflatables following an edict from Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC).
This year, TRC has made the decision not to cover water-based event under its insurance policies.
TRC Australia Day coordinating committee chair Cr James O’Shea said efforts to find alternate insurance for the event had been unsuccessful.
“The event will proceed with numerous family activities following the civic award presentations which recognise the achievements of Oakey district citizens,” Cr O’Shea said.
It’s understood that the local committee has been unhappy with the assistance provided by Council officers.
Dunny racers need not fear, however, as the much-loved event has been approved to run this year.
Oakey Australia Day Committee member Craig Commens said there will still be plenty to look forward to on the day.
“We’ve got the biggest Australia Day event in the entire Region,” he said.
“The Black Truck Pull is back this year, along with the Oakey Family Dental Tug of War, the Neville Cherry Pest Control Dunny Race and the Hamlyn’s Modern Meats ‘Iron Man’-style Challenge.”
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald said the community-run activities in Oakey and elsewhere 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.”
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.”
TRC REGIONAL EVENTS
Oakey
Arthur Shooter Park, Stanley Street, Oakey, 7.30am to noon.
From 7.30am barbecue breakfast in the park on sale from the Oakey Lions Club.
Award ceremony from 8.30 to 9.30am includes acknowledgement of traditional custodians, flag raising, national anthem, Councillor address, award presentations.
From 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.
Jondaryan
Jondaryan Woolshed, 264 Jondaryan-Evanslea Road, Jondaryan.
Fun activities for the whole family from 9am to 3pm.
Entry fees apply.
The café is open, with heritage machinery displays, shearing, dog trials, treasure hunt for kids, whip cracking and more displays celebrating Australia’s farming heritage.
Haden
Haden Hall, Boundary Street, Haden (Goombungee service area, former Rosalie Shire), 8am to noon.
Free breakfast will be available from 8am.
Awards ceremony starting at 9am.
Entertainment on the day includes live music and face painting.
Highfields
At the civic forecourt outdoor area at the Highfields Library from 7am to 9am.
From 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, a former WBO welterweight world titleholder and Olympian.
Crows Nest
Centenary Park, Crows Nest 3.30 to 6.30pm.
Entertainment from 3.30pm by Adele Adams & Cloud 9.
Welcome, presentation of Australia Day awards, formalities from 4.30pm.
Barbecue and entertain-ment from 5.30pm. (gold coin donation required, which goes to the community groups involved on the day)
Cecil Plains
(incorporating Millmerran)
Cecil Plains Aquatic Centre, corner of Cheetham Street and Russell Avenue, Cecil Plains 8am to 11am.
Free barbecue breakfast from 8am to 9am.
Awards ceremony 9am to 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.
Toowoomba
Picnic Point, 162 Tourist Road, Toowoomba, 8.30 to 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.
The Region’s Mayor Geoff McDonald will present the Toowoomba service area TRC Australia Day awards and the W. H. Groom Centenary scholarship award at Picnic Point from 9.45am.
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 to 9.30am.
From 7.30am free barbecue breakfast, free children’s face painting, entertainment, coffee van.
Awards ceremony from 8.15am.
Pittsworth
Pittsworth Town Hall and Centenary Park, Park Street, Pittsworth, 7.30 to 11am.
Free barbecue breakfast at Pittsworth Centenary Park provided by the Pittsworth Men’s Shed from 7.30 to 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.
Clifton
Pioneer Park, 99 King Street, Clifton 7am to 10am.
From 7am entertainment, free barbecue breakfast, to be followed by the Australia Day awards ceremony. BYO chair or picnic blanket.
For more information about Toowoomba Region Australia Day events and associated Australia Day activities visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/events
