Australia Day
Today is Australia Day, a national public holiday. Australia Day marks the date in 1788 when Captain Arthur Philip raised the British flag 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. This year - thanks to the Omicron outbreak - most of the South Burnett's traditional Australia Day celebrations have been abandoned. However, there are still a few events running. Here's what they are:
Wondai Australia Day Community Breakfast
- The Wondai Regional Art Gallery on the roundabout at Wondai will be hosting a free Australia Day Community Breakfast at The Studio next to their main building from 7:00am to around 9:30am this morning. The Wondai Town and District Band will be playing and there'll be free cake from the Wondai Bakery as well. Everyone is welcome but guests are asked to wear masks, observe social distancing and be conscious about the need to control the spread of COVID in the community.
Australia Day Yabby Races - Hivesville
- The Hivesville Hotel in Main Street, Hivesville will be hosting an Australia Day function from 12:00 noon today, kicking off with a $15 per head lunch of roast lamb and pork served with salad ($10 for children) and followed by an afternoon of Aussie music and yabby races. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4168-9876.
Australia Day Afternoon Tea - Proston
CANCELLED: The Proston Scouts will be hosting a free Australia Day afternoon tea with coffee, tea, damper and lamingtons at the troop's den in Rodney Street, Proston from 2:30pm to around 4:00pm today. Cold drinks will be on sale, too, and there'll be an optional sign on for Scouts membership as well. Everyone is welcome!
Australia Day Party - Maidenwell
- The historic Maidenwell Hotel will be holding Australia Day celebrations from 12:00 noon today that will feature lamington and Tim Tam eating competitions, thong tossing, a tug-o-war and a prize for the best-dressed Aussie. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4164-6133.
Australia Day Party - Yarraman
- The Royal Hotel on the D'Aguilar Highway at Yarraman will be marking Australia Day with a party from 12:00 noon today that will include pie-eating competitions, yabby races, toad races, a jokes competition and a DJ. There'll also be a BBQ lunch on offer. More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4163-8219
Australia Day Hawaiian Party - Cooyar
- The Cooyar Hotel on the New England Highway at Cooyar will be holding Australia Day celebrations from 10:00am this morning featuring yabby races, thong tossing and other classic Aussie games. There'll also be a prize for the best Hawaiian shirt. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4692-6220.
South Burnett Gem & Fossicking Club - Wondai
- The South Burnett Gem and Fossicking Club will be holding their regular Wednesday meeting at their club's Wondai workshop in the old Wondai Railway Station at Coronation Park in the town's CBD from 5:30pm to around 7:30pm tonight. The club embraces all aspects of lapidary (including gem hunting and cutting) and meets every Monday and Thursday in Kingaroy, with Wednesday workshops in Wondai for faceting and silverwork. New members are always welcome. More details? Phone 0491-606-427
