Beach, boats and BBQs: How Qld celebrated Australia Day
Aussie flags flew at the beach, from cars, at homes and businesses, while longheld traditions like lamington eating contests and the Outback Dunny Race were a big hit for families as Queenslanders marked Australia Day.
QLD News
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From barbecues to boats and from the beach to a good ol’ Aussie lamington eating contest, Queenslanders were out in droves to celebrate Australia Day across the state.
Australian flags flew at the beach, from cars, at homes and businesses, while longheld traditions, like the Outback Dunny Race at Glenview, were a big hit for families.
Almost 15,000 became Aussies on Sunday, with Brisbane hosting its largest ceremony ever at City Hall, welcoming 500 new citizens.
Brisbane City Hall was brimming with families, couples and individuals from across 70 countries all excited to become a citizen on our national day.
Speaking at the ceremony, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner told of his own father’s story of migrating to Australia from Germany, not long after World War II and said it was important to “not hold grudges” and “put conflicts behind us”.
“All the conflicts that have happened around the world, recent conflicts, conflicts a long time ago, when we come here and become a member of the Australian community – we put those behind us,” he said.
“We don’t hold grudges. We’re all equal, and we’re all part of the family and that’s the important message to remember today.
“Australia is a different place and that’s a good thing and we must all keep that up.”
Opposition Leader Steven Miles and local Councillor Sandy Landers were also in attendance.
Among those receiving their citizenship was Raquel Gomez, Victor Martinez and their two kids Nico, 3, and Alex, 22 months.
After migrating from Spain seven years ago for his work, Mr Martinez said it was a very exciting day for the family to officially call Australia home.
“We were really excited, very emotional, she (Ms Gomez) cried a bit,” Mr Martinez said.
“To raise kids here with other family support, that’s what makes me emotional,” Ms Gomez added.
Mr Martinez described Australia as a “lucky country”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined families from countries such as Nigeria and Sri Lanka as they became Aussie citizens at a ceremony in Canberra, telling them: “Whether we are born Australian, or we choose to become Australian, citizenship is a commitment that all of us make to each other.”
“Today, your talent and skill, your enterprise and drive, your hopes for the future join this great national endeavour,” he said.
“On Australia Day, let us celebrate the privilege we have to live in the greatest country on earth.
“And together let us seize the opportunity to make it even better in the future.”
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said in a video posted online “we shouldn’t be afraid of celebrating” Australia Day.
“A defining achievement has been the weaving together of the Indigenous, British and migrant threads of our story,” he said.
“Being an Australian is a celebration of our shared values”.
Protest rallies were held across the country, including in Brisbane on Sunday, with many against the date of the national day and continuing to push for a date change.
The ‘Invasion Day’ street marches – which happen every year – have previously drawn tens of thousands of protesters. This year the crowd at Queen’s Garden Brisbane was noticeably smaller, indicating perhaps the movement is losing currency in the wider community.
The event, run by grassroots activists First Nations Action Network, organised the rally as an opportunity for members of the community to come together to stand in solidarity with First Nations Australians.
Federal Greens Member Stephen Bates was among the crowd but declined to share his views personally.
“I think on a day like today it’s important to prioritise the views of First Nations people,” he said.
Venues around the state held fun Aussie events like thong throwing, pie or lamington eating competitions, mudcrab races, yabby races and even cane toad races in the far north.
The water was the place to be on the Gold Coast with boats converging on Wave Break Island for what for many has become an annual tradition.
Water police were out in force and hosted a barbecue for punters with the Southport Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR).
“It’s a great day and there’s lots of people out which is good to see,” VMR Duty Skipper Matt Fitzpatrick said.
“Everyone has been really well behaved and are out enjoying the good weather.”
It was a busy start to the day for rescue crews with a number of calls for assistance from boaties, according to Mr Fitzpatrick.
“Thankfully nothing major. Just a few vessels with fuel and mechanical issues,” he said.
Beaches and swimming areas were packed across the state with the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Southbank beach packed with families.
It was an extra special patrol day for members at Tugun Surf Life Saving Club which was also celebrating its 100th anniversary.
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