Cody, 5, and Klancie Ryan, 6, were keen spectators at the dog high-jumping competition, a special feature of the town’s annual Australia Day celebrations (Photos: Clive Lowe Photography)

January 29, 2013

Wet weather failed to dampen spirits at Nanango’s official 2013 Australia Day celebrations on Saturday.

A small but happy crowd ignored the persistent drizzle to join in a community breakfast at the Nanango Showgrounds.

This was followed by a flag-raising ceremony; the singing of the Australian national anthem; and formal congratulations to Nanango’s 2013 Australia Day Award winners:

  • South Burnett Citizen Of The Year Les Schloss
  • South Burnett Cultural Award winner Elizabeth Caffery
  • South Burnett Local Achiever Award winner Nathan Trace

Then – the formalities dispensed with – the rest of the morning was given over to traditional Nanango Australia Day activities such as the famous Tommy Perrett dog high-jumping competition; male, female and junior tug-o-war contests; and even a surf race.

Most events were held under cover but a few hardy competitors ventured out onto the main oval for the surf racing. Most came back a bit wetter and muddier, but still happy.

Note: All photos on this page are © 2013 Clive Lowe Photography.

Tommy Perrett dog jumping competitors Katie Turnbull and her dog Fang

Tegan Flannagan and Lydiah Phoenix at the dog jumping competition with Pebbles
Lachlan Rose acted as nose gunner in Graham Ruttledge’s replica 1917 WWI SE5a at the Showgrounds

Millie Knudsen was the muddy but elated winner of the Nanango surf race

2013 Nanango Local Achiever Award winner Nathan Trace
The traditional Australia Day tug-of-war proved a popular wet weather pastime

2013 South Burnett Citizen Of The Year Les Schloss and his wife Robyn

Millie Knudsen’s dog Kaos took part in the dog high-jumping competition
Tanduringie State School student Erin Sullivan studying the remarkable carvings made by John Dickfos on display at Ringsfield House
Cooper, Terri, Allan and Tia Robinson celebrated Australia Day as a family at the Palace Hotel

Other Australia Day Events

In addition to South Burnett Regional Council’s official celebrations at the Showgrounds, Nanango also had three other Australia Day celebrations running on Saturday.

And while the wet weather reduced attendances slightly, it didn’t reduce the fun.

At historic Ringsfield House in Alfred Street, visitors were able to inspect a remarkable display of wood carvings on a transportation theme executed by local craftsman John Dickfos.

At the Palace Hotel in Drayton Street, visitors got to enjoy a range of dinki-di Aussie sporting competitions including baked bean wrestling, beach volley ball, X-Box cricket and a burping competition, along with live music from Arthur Black and Mr. Q and a free sausage sizzle.

And at the Nanango RSL, members and their guests got the opportunity to take part in an all-day BBQ cook-off and equally dinki-di games like sack races, thong throwing and a lamington eating contest, or simpy sit back and enjoy entertainment from Deano.

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Nanango RSL was in full Australia Day mode with Jade Binns, Sarah O’Brien, Vicki Tapsell and Jenna Adams waving the flag