South Burnett Salutes The Flag

20140118 Australia Day — Yarraman Bakery will be feeling patriotic on Australia Day … the bakery has added kangaroo mince pies to its menu much to the delight of Amie Frohloff, 12, and Jacqulyn Ivanac, 13

‘Diversity defines us’

Queensland Minister for Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes has urged people to take time this Australia Day to consider what it means to be an Australian in the 21st century.

Mr Elmes said a typical Queenslander was no longer of British heritage but a combination of the more than 200 cultures which make up modern Queensland.

“Cultural diversity has made a tremendous contribution to shaping the Australia of today and we are more prosperous and productive as a society because of it,” Mr Elmes said.

“Difference is everywhere in our society, and none of us should be threatened by it.

“A culturally diverse community is a vibrant community and one which is open to new ideas, tastes and customs.”

Mr Elmes has encouraged people to celebrate all that’s good about Australian culture during this year’s Australia Day long weekend, but to do it responsibly.

“There are plenty of things about being Australian to celebrate, but loutish behaviour isn’t one of them,” he said.

“One of the core Australian values is respect for others.”

January 20, 2014

The Australia Day long weekend is shaping up to be huge in the South Burnett … with everything from kangaroo pies and yabby races to the biggest speedway meeting Kingaroy has ever seen!

No one should be complaining there’s nothing to do …

The weekend will kick off on Friday night with the first night of the three-day Kings Royal speedway meeting which has a total of $30,000 in prize money up for grabs. As well as Modified Sedans, there’ll be the South Burnett Junior Nationals, the Australian Grand Prix for production cars, the Peanut Crown for four cylinders and microsprints.

Friday is also Day 1 of Manar Park’s Dirt Bikes And Music weekend which will feature the Dirt Bike Challenge, live music on Saturday and Sunday nights, a licensed bar and activities for children.

On Saturday night, the South Burnett Regional Council will be holding its sixth annual Australia Day Awards ceremony at Wondai Town Hall from 6:30pm. This ceremony honours residents from the around the region and is held in a different South Burnett town every year.

And then it all goes crazy on Sunday – Australia Day – with events scheduled from Blackbutt to Boondooma.

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A full list is on our Daily Calendar, but a few highlights include: