Western Downs event galleries: More than 800 photos from massive celebrations across the region in 2023
From punters partying trackside at the Dalby races to people slipping and sliding at Chinchilla’s Melon Festival, this year was filled with action packed events across the Western Downs. Here is every photo taken from all the events held this year.
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Whether it was a sports, music or races event, the Western Downs was home to many massive events this year.
People from across the state were drawn to celebrations like the Chinchilla Melon Festival and Big Skies Music Festival, and now residents can find their pictures all in one place.
Check to see if you can spot yourself or a face you know in one of our many event galleries below.
40+ photos: Dalby Devils raise thousands of dollars for suicide prevention
Residents from Dalby rallied on Saturday to watch epic games of junior rugby league and raise much needed funds for a foundation that is close to their hearts.
The Dalby Devils hosted nailbiting back-to-back games of junior rugby league which included jersey auctions, bake sales and a Calcutta evening the night before which in total raised $13, 564.15 for the suicide prevention foundation R U OK?
The captain for the under-17s girls side, Gaby Anderton shared why both under-17s teams made the decision to raise money for R U OK? Foundation this weekend for the highly-anticipated fundraiser round.
“We decided to choose R U OK? For young people’s mental health because there’s a lot going on with young people these days,” she said.
“And we would like to support them today.”
30+ photos: Dalby women unite for Diehards’ Ladies Long Lunch 2023
Women from across Dalby gathered to enjoy a great day of footy, drinks and fashion while fundraising “much needed” funds for the Diehards’ women’s team.
The club’s treasurer and organiser of the Ladies Long Lunch Dom Hunt said the day was to help raise money to extend the dress sheds at Dalby’s footy fields to make room for the women’s team so they can better prep for games.
Mrs Hunt said the club was putting “time, effort and love into the women’s side” which has been a growing part of the Dalby Diehards for the past couple of years.
The women were also joined by entrepreneur and author Lorna Jane Clarkson who shared her journey in creating the renowned active wear brand Lorna Jane and provided business advice to inspire businesswomen in the region.
40+ photos: 20 years of Opera at Jimbour in the Western Downs
Hundreds of people from all over Queensland were drawn to the rural town of Jimbour in the Western Downs to celebrate 20 years of the prestigious music event.
Opera at Jimbour for 2023 was held May 5 to 7, and marked two decades of the event which was said to unite communities and bring fine music to regional Australia.
Mayor Paul McVeigh said as the event was held in partnership with Western Downs Regional Council it was a great opportunity to tell the story of “who we are” and showcase “the fabulous region we choose to call home”.
45 photos: All the photos from Anzac Day in Dalby 2023
Residents turned up in droves to take part in the beloved Anzac Day parade and commemoration service that followed.
On April 25 hundreds of residents took to Cunningham and Patrick streets to take part in the parade, then made their way to Anzac Park and be part of the commemoration service led by councillor Kaye Maguire.
Dalby RSL sub branch president Graham Coles, who also closed the ceremony, labelled the special events as having the “biggest crowd” in years.
“The crowd on the street doubled from last year,” he said.
“This service takes three months to organise, it was a great day and I thank all those people who volunteered.”
85+ photos: Dalby Show makes history 2023
Thousands of people attended the Dalby Show for 2023 to witness and help be a part of massive world and national breaking records.
On Saturday, April 15 hundreds of engine enthusiasts rallied to break the world record for most stationary engines running at once with an epic 471 engines going for 10 minutes at the Dalby Showgrounds.
Just hours before, 124 people at the event broke the Australian record for the most overalls worn at the same time.
440+ photos: Every photo from Chinchilla Melon Festival 2023
One of regional Queensland’s largest events returned after four years and was back with a program boasting of fun, fresh and family activities for an entire weekend.
Chinchilla Melon Festival returned, and despite it letting go of one of its previous events, president of the committee Doug McNally said it lifted the spirits of the Western Downs community.
“It certainly gives us back a bit of identity,” Mr McNally said.
“We’ve had some nasty stuff in the last few months with the activity out at Tara and now the bushfires that are around us, but to give us back a joyful identity is something that the town looks forward to.”
Full story and each gallery here.
80+ photos: Punters show up in style to Dalby Rugby Races 2023
Despite dark clouds followed by heavy rainfall in the Western Downs, punters turned up in droves for the annual Dalby Rugby Races.
The Bunya Racecourse saw high fashion, big bets and lot’s of laughs over people enjoying beers on Saturday afternoon, and people dancing well into the night.
45+ photos: Western Downs massive music event, Big Skies Festival 2023
The Western Downs saw many people travel from across the state to attend this year’s Big Skies Festival which brought a range of rock and roll acts to the region.
Mayor Paul McVeigh addressed the crowd and welcomed everyone to the fourth annual event that helps showcase what the region has to offer by putting on spectacular musical performances and separate activities such as the Jacaranda long lunch and sunset dinner.
“We have some of the best agricultural land in the world,” he said.
“We talk about it being the people who make it, and I can’t thank people who work here enough, the volunteers and those that work this event, thank you.”
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Originally published as Western Downs event galleries: More than 800 photos from massive celebrations across the region in 2023
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Why man braved fire to save his car: ‘I couldn’t stand around to watch my friend die’
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Two new firefighting aircraft join arsenal of Dalby aviation firm
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