Celebrate Australia Day across the region

The South Burnett Tenth Annual Australia Day Awards Ceremony is going to be held on Friday 25 January 2019 at The Blackbutt Memorial Hall.

Flag raising ceremony at Nanango Australia Day, 2018. Picture: Christian Berechree

THIS year The South Burnett is celebrating Australia Day across the region, with something for everyone.

The South Burnett Tenth Annual Australia Day Awards Ceremony is going to be held on Friday 25 January 2019 at The Blackbutt Memorial Hall (opposite the show grounds) from 6.30pm to 9.00pm.

The South Burnett 2019 Australia Day Ambassador Mrs Justine Christerson is set to participate in the South Burnett Regional Council's Australia Day Awards Ceremony held at Blackbutt on Australia Day Eve.

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor, Keith Campbell is excited to have Justine at the South Burnett Awards Ceremony.

"It is exciting to have Justine as our Regions Ambassador this year and I urge our residents to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to stop and have a chat with Justine," Mayor Keith Campbell said.

Although The South Burnett Regional Council's official Australia Day ceremony is taking place the night before; there are still plenty of options for Australia Day celebrations in The South Burnett this year.

The Kingaroy Australia Day celebrations will commence at 7am at the town hall. An Australia Day breakfast is available for a gold coin donation. There will be face painting, a jumping castle, bush poetry, and a "cooee” competition.

The South Burnett Army Cadet Unit will perform the 9.00am flag raising ceremony. This will be followed by the citizenship ceremony, affirmation, and the National Anthem. The announcement of the Australia Day winners will be followed by the annual Pie and Lamington eating competition at 9.45am. There will be a raffle draw around 10.15am; and, don't forget to stick around for the cane toad race.

Blackbutt will also be celebrating Saturday 26 January with a range of free family friendly Australia Day activities. There will be a free community sausage sizzle from 8.00am to 10.00am. There will then be a jumping castle, a best-dressed competition, live music featuring local artists, a gumboot throwing competition, and an avocado toss.

Head on over to The Boondooma Homestead for a BBQ dinner and their flag raising ceremony on Australia Day after 5.00pm. The Proston Country Bus Service will be running on the day if you need a lift. The bus will do pick ups from Murgon, Wondai, Hivesville, and Proston. Just remember to pre-book your seat by calling (07) 41668 9269, or email [e-mail].

Murgon's Queensland Dairy and Heritage Museum is hosting even more Australia Day celebrations. Kick the day off with a BBQ breakfast from 7.00 to 8.00am. This will be followed by a ceremony to announce all the award winners. There will be live entertainment, a flag raising ceremony, and then a morning tea to wrap up the formalities.

The Proston Scout Group is holding an Australia Day afternoon tea with free tea, coffee, damper, and lamingtons at their scout block on Rodney Street from 2.30pm. There will be cold drinks for sale and a game of cricket going.

The Nanango Tourism and Development Association will be hosting a breakfast from 7.00am at the Nanango Show-grounds on Australia Day morning. This will be followed by the flag raising ceremony and Australia Day awards. Look out for some bush poetry, dog high jump, tug of war, and an Aussie sing along. Hang around for the free watermelon, damper, ice-blocks, hot-dogs, and lollies.

Come along to the Wondai Memorial Hall for an Australia Day breakfast from 7.00am to 9.00am. here will be the traditional flag raising ceremony and Australia Day awards; as well as some live entertainment.

The Hivesville Australia Day ceremony starts at 7.00am in the park and is followed by a breakfast put on by the Hivesville Progress Association.

Kingaroy Swim Centre has announced a Volleyball event to continue the Australia Day fun on Sunday January 27. The Volleyball competition kicks off at 9.00am.

Teams are able to be made up of six players ($90) and need to be registered through the Kingaroy Swim Centre by January 19.

There will also be a 'red rocket run' ($10) at 11.00am and a movie night ($12) at 6.30pm.