southburnett.com.au - What's On In The South Burnett

Australia Day Public Holiday

Today is Australia Day, our national day of celebration. Australia Day marks the date in 1788 when Captain Arthur Philip landed the First Fleet at Port Jackson near the present-day site of Sydney and became Governor of the new British colony of New South Wales. Australia Day used to be called Foundation Day until the name was changed in 1946, but since then it's grown to become one of our key national celebrations. It's also traditionally the day when our nation hands out Australia Day Awards to outstanding citizens who've made significant contributions to the country and/or their communities. Here's your guide to what's happening around our region today:

Australia Day Family Fun At Blackbutt

The Blackbutt community will be celebrating Australia Day with a family fun day at the Blackbutt RSL & CMC at the corner of Muir and Douglas Streets from 10:00am onwards this morning. There'll be a free jumping castle and popcorn, fairy floss and snow cones for children; free pizza for adults; and live music from local artists along with karaoke. There'll also be fun games like thong tossing, dummy spitting and egg and spoon races along with market stalls, raffles and a licensed bar. Today's celebrations are sponsored by the South Burnett Regional Council and everyone is welcome! More details? Phone the RSL on (07) 4163-0444.

Australia Day Big Cricket Bash - Blackbutt

The Blackbutt Benarkin Lions Club has organised an Australia Day cricket bash at the Blackbutt Showgrounds from 9:00am to 4:00pm today. Registration for would-be players closes at 8:30am. Cost is $10 per player or a gold coin donation for spectators. As well as cricket, there'll be raffles, live music, food, refreshments and a licensed bar. Kids will enjoy the jumping castle and face-painting. Camping and powered sites are available. More info? Phone Kevin 0413-222-506.

Australia Day Breakfast And Pool Party At Yarraman

Toowoomba Regional Council and the Yarraman Progress Association will be celebrating Australia Day with a free community breakfast at the Yarraman Community Hall in Browne Street this morning. Doors will open at 8:30am for a 9:00am sit-down brekkie, and this will be followed at 10:00am by the presentation of Australia Day Awards, followed by morning tea at 10:30am. This, in turn, will be followed by a free Australia Day Pool Party at the Yarraman Swimming Pool on the New England Highway from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm featuring a free sausage sizzle, with lots of games and drinks and snacks available from the pool's canteen. Everyone is welcome and admission to both events is free.

Australia Day Breakfast At Nanango

The Nanango Historical Society will be hosting a free community breakfast at the Nanango Showgrounds in Cairns Street at 7:00am this morning. The breakfast will be followed by a flag raising ceremony and a recognition of Nanango's Australia Day award winners; and then a variety of family-oriented games and entertainment including the traditional dog high jumps, male and female tug-o-war contests, a junior tug-o-war contest, live music, tales and yarns, bush poets, tea, scones, great coffee and ice cold soft drinks. There'll also be a BBQ lunch on offer and a licensed bar in operation. Everyone is welcome!

Australia Day Celebrations At Kingaroy

Kingaroy Australia's Day celebrations will be held at the Town Hall Forecourt in Glendon Street this morning, kicking off with a free community breakfast at 6:45am. This will be followed from 7:00am onwards with a range of family fun activities including face painting and a jumping castle for children; bush poetry; live music from the talented Matt Phillips; and a whip-cracking display by Paul Simms. At 9:00am, the official flag-raising ceremony will be performed by the Australian Army Cadet Unit and Light Horse Brigade, and this will be followed by recognition of Australia Day Award winners from the Kingaroy area and an address by special guest speaker Fr Nigel Sequeira. A vocal quartet will perform during the ceremony, and this will be followed by the famous pie-eating competition for adults and lamington-eating contest for children. The morning will close with a free morning tea followed by cane toad races, with all proceeds going to charity. Everyone is welcome! Note: In the event of wet weather, festivities will be held inside Kingaroy Town Hall.

Australia Day Breakfast At Wondai

Wondai will be kicking off its Australia Day celebrations at 7:00am this morning with a free community breakfast at the Wondai Town Hall in Mackenzie Street. This very popular event will also feature live entertainment from the Wondai & District Band, an Australian Citizen Affirmation Ceremony and a Flag Raising Ceremony. Everyone is welcome!

Australia Day Breakfast At Hivesville

The Hivesville Progress Association will be holding an Australia Day Breakfast at Anzac Park (across the road from the Hivesville Hotel) at 8:00am this morning. Everyone is welcome!

Australia Day Billy Tea And Damper At Proston

The Proston Scout Group will be organising Proston's Australia Day celebrations at their Scout Den in Rodney Street from 2:00pm onwards this afternoon. Events will begin with a flag raising ceremony, and be followed by a great free afternoon tea of billy tea and damper, then games and activities. Cold drinks will also be on sale if you get thirsty. Everyone is welcome!

Australia Day Concert At Boondooma Homestead

Boondooma Homestead will be hosting an evening Australia Day BBQ and concert from 5:00pm (when there'll be a flag-raising ceremony) until late tonight. The event will feature a sausage sizzle and live entertainment from Buddy Thomson, Lynne Bennett and other performers. Buses will be leaving from the bus stop in Mackenzie Street Wondai, the Murgon Visitor Information Centre, the Hivesville Hotel and the old Proston Town Hall if you'd prefer to bus it rather than drive, and tickets can be purchased from any SBRC Customer Service Centre (who also have the bus timetables). Everyone is welcome, and you can obtain more information from the Boondooma Homestead website. Note: This event will be held undercover and won't be affected by the weather.

Australia Day At The Murgon Dairy Industry Museum

Murgon will be celebrating Australia Day with a free community breakfast and family fun morning at the Queensland Dairy & Heritage Museum in Gesslers Road, Murgon. The BBQ breakfast will be held from 7:00am to 8:00am, and this will be followed by a recognition of Murgon's Australia Day Award winners at 8:30am, then by live musical entertainment, a flag raising ceremony and a great morning tea to round things out. Everyone is welcome! More details? Contact the Museum on (07) 4169-5001. Note In the event of wet weather this event will relocate to the PCYC in Macalister Street.

Australia Day Buffet - Wondai

Dimities Cottage at 49 Haly Street in Wondai will be holding an all-you-can-eat Australia Day Buffet from 12:00pm to 2:00pm today. The buffett features a selection of hot dishes, roast meats, salads, as well as sweets and tea of coffee, and the cost is $15.00 per person for a really great feed (BYO). There'll also be a prize for the best Aussie hat. However bookings are always advisable if you want to be certain of a seat: (07) 4168-5744

Australia Day At The Radnor - Blackbutt

The Radnor Hotel in Coulson Street, Blackbutt will be marking Australia Day with cane toad races in the afternoon, followed by a Pig On A Spit dinner at 6:00pm and live music from 7:00pm until late. Admission is free. More details from the hotel on (07)4163-0203.

Australia Day At The Com Pub - Kingaroy

Kingaroy's Commercial Hotel at the corner of Glendon and Hsaly Streets will be holding aq Recovery Sesh today, kicking off with a free BBQ at 11:00am and followed by an extended Open Mic session in the beer garden from 2:00pm. Admission is free and everyone's welcome. More details from the hotel on (07) 4162-1380.

Dirt, Bikes & Music - Manar Park

Today is the final day Manar Park's Australia Day Long Weekend Dirt Bike Challenge, and today's activities will focus on chldren, with body board races on the Park's dam and a thong-throwing competition. Adults can enjoy a run over the park's many tracks and loops (there are separate tracks for both bikes and 4WDS). Market stalls will trade until mid-day too. The Manar Park motocross complex is located on Boondooma Road, north of Proston (the turn-off is just past Boondooma Homestead). For more information phone Mandy or Simon on (07) 4168-2188.

Monday Evening Bingo - Blackbutt

Bingo games will be held at Nukku Nook at the head of the Blackbutt Rail Trail in Hart Street, Blackbutt from 7:00pm this evening (eyes down at 7:30pm sharp). These weekly bingo nights are a fundraiser for the Blackbutt and District Tourism and Heritage Association and everyone is welcome! More details? Phone Noeleen on (07) 4163-0413 or send her an email.

Nanango Men's Shed

The Nanango Men's Shed at the corner of Mt Stanley Road and Heathermore Lane, Nanango will be open from 8:30am to 12:30pm today (and also on Wednesdays). New members are very welcome! More details? Phone Ben on 0491-102-087

Cards & Bowls Afternoon - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Senior Citizens Club will be holding their regular Monday afternoon indoor bowls and cards competitions at their centre on the corner of Avoca and Kingaroy Streets, Kingaroy (opposite Super IGA) from 1:00pm to around 4:00pm today. The $2 admission includes a cup of tea and everyone is welcome. More details? Phone (07) 4163-6191

Nanango SES Meeting

The Nanango SES will be holding their regular Monday night training session at the SES Building in George Street, Nanango from 7:00pm to 9:00pm tonight. Anyone from the Nanango district who's interested in joining the SES (or simply finding out more about what's involved) is very welcome to come along. More details? Phone Group Leader Robyn on (07) 4163-1933 or (0448) 138-220.

Wondai SES Meeting

The Wondai SES will be holding their regular Monday night training session at their shed in McCord Street, Wondai from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Anyone from the Wondai and Tingoora areas who's interested in joining the SES or just finding out more about what's involved is very welcome to come along. More details? Phone Dean on (0409) 480-553