‘Insane’ photos of Father’s Day celebrations at the Queensland-NSW border

Images showing families gathering at the Queensland and NSW border to celebrate Father’s Day have been labelled “ridiculous”.

Photographs showing families gathering at the border between Queensland and New South Wales to celebrate Father’s Day have been labelled “insane” and “ridiculous”.

It comes as Queensland records one new locally acquired case of Covid-19, the mother of a four-year-old who tested positive on Friday. Meanwhile, NSW has recorded another horrific tally with 1485 new coronavirus cases and three deaths overnight.

Footage from the border on Sunday shows hundreds of people gathered at the brightly orange coloured plastic barriers, with some even bringing food, drinks, dogs, tables and chairs along. And even balloons.

Others were seen posing for the camera with masks down or off, and were huddled close together.

Meanwhile, some families set up picnics just a stone’s throw away from their loved ones on the other side of the barriers.

With many heartbroken families having been separated by the border lockdown for weeks, they were overjoyed to have found an inventive way to celebrate with the special day with their fathers.

Father’s Day celebrations at the border. Picture: Sue Quirck

Footage taken by Channel 10 of the gathering has received quite a heated response on social media.

Some questioned the lack of masks, with one Twitter user writing: “Insane, surreal footage. This country has lost the plot.”

On Facebook, a user wrote: “Great way to extend lockdown. Not a mask in site! Millions of people across Australia can’t see their fathers today, doing this will just ensure it’ll be longer before families can reunite.”

Father’s Day in 2021. Families split by the border meet at plastic barriers to celebrate. Hundreds of people lined up along the road, some have tables and chairs @[e-mail]/THtAtBy6EL

— Johnpaul Gonzo (@JohnpaulGonzo) September 4, 2021

Another commented: “Everyone is free to express themselves peacefully. But ‘freedom where I owe nothing to anyone else’ doesn’t exist. Freedom relies on reciprocal duty.

“If tomorrow you infect your father, your mother, or me, I am a victim of your freedom, despite the fact that you had the option to protect yourself and to protect me.

“In the name of your freedom, you may get a serious form [of the virus] and you may go into hospital. And then all the staff who have to take care of you will have to stop taking care of someone else.

“That is not freedom. That is irresponsible and selfishness.”

Families reunite, with balloons. Picture: Richard Gosling

A fourth user wrote: “Well of course it can always be worse … but that is embarrassing and stupid.”

Another said: “How does this work? Leaning over borders, hugging, no masks etc

I’m shocked QLD allows this.”

However, others supported the display.

One Twitter user wrote: “At least they can see each other. Better than those who have children in heaven or fathers in heaven.

Fathers Day lunches at the NSW-Qld border. Strange, strange times. #COVID19nswpic.twitter.com/sr4rCT0gPu

— Ben Groundwater (@bengroundwater) September 5, 2021

“I would much rather this than what I and so many don’t. My son has been dead for 11 years now and I will never get to see or speak to him again.

“Enjoy what you have a (sic) be grateful.”

“So Beautiful yet so sad,” commenter another.

Police seen at Coolangatta. Picture: Richard Gosling

There are reports that dozens of police attended the event, and wished people a happy Father’s Day. They handed out masks and requested people social distance, and did not remove people.

It was a happy day for many. Picture: Richard Gosling

It comes as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk begins to wind back her comments that she would not open her state until there are vaccines available for children under the age of 12.

She urged Queensland residents to get vaccinated but indicated that would occur in line with the national plan of 70 and 80 per cent double dosed.

Border barriers haven’t stopped these families from celebrating Father’s Day. Dozens of people are gathering at the Queensland-New South Wales border, the only way some can see their Dad. https://t.co/b3nAU20I54#COVID19#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/XthqGpT5hu

— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) September 5, 2021

Just days ago, she was adamant the Sunshine State would remain locked in, if not locked down, until under 12s were vaccinated, despite the fact that an approved vaccine for under 12s doesn’t exist yet.

But her rhetoric now appears to have softened somewhat. Last week, the Premier was asked by the Opposition in parliament to detail her government’s plan out of lockdown.

When answering she said she wanted to see a plan for “every single Queenslander” being vaccinated before opening the state’s borders.

Father’s Day celebrations. Picture: Richard Gosling