The Mon-Dee Little Beans team won the Youth Award at the weekend’s South Burnett Relay For Life
October 12, 2026
The South Burnett Relay For Life revived memories of classic fundraisers from the past with a return to the overnight formula for its 21 birthday celebration.
There were games, live music and crazy fundraising competitions – for eample, dressing up like South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff – to keep the walkers entertained over night as they walked around Kingaroy’s T.J. O’Neill Oval.
The annual fundraiser for Cancer Council Queensland began on Saturday afternoon with an opening ceremony that featured a series of speeches plus the reading of the Relay For Life ode by patron Carl Rackemann.
Compere Cr Danita Potter said it was wonderful to have the schools back involved at this year’s event.
And she noted the South Burnett Relay For Life had raised more than $2 million – and made marvellous memories – over the past 21 years; this year’s event will push that total past $2.5 million.
Special guest speaker was Cancer Council Queensland CEO Matt Gardiner who said the funds raised helped with prevention and to support people with cancer, but even if no money was raised at Relay, it was worthwhile to come together as a community and talk about cancer, and the impact it has on people’s lives.
It was also important to honour the survivors of cancer and remember those we had lost.
Mayor Kathy Duff said “every step matters”.
“If you’re not raising funds, you are raising awareness,” she said.
The South Burnett Relay For Life is the seventh biggest in Australia, with the Ride 4 Relay the second biggest team fundraiser, and Dinner With The Champions in fourth spot.
Donations can still be made online to the 2026 South Burnett Relay For Life campaign
South Burnett Relay For Life committee chair Rowena Dionysius with special guest, Cancer Council Queensland CEO Matt GardinerMember for Nanango, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, with members of the Go Getta Girls fundraising team2026 Face Of Relay Lois Turner cut the purple ribbon to begin the annual Survivors & Carers lap of honour … the first lap of every year’s Relay For LifeThe Survivors & Carers lap of honour was led by bagpipe player Wayne DarrMcGrath Nurse and cancer survivor Sue Cox was walking with her team in the Survivors & Carers lapThe Birds Of A Feather team has been supporting the South Burnett Relay For Life since it began … raising tens of thousands of dollars along the wayThe Survivors & Carers walkers make their way back to the start after doing a lap of T.J. O’Neill OvalCancer survivor Jan Lamborn, from Kingaroy, with South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff … the members of the South Burnett Regional Council’s fundraising team were wearing pyjamas that featured a “sleeping bra”, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness monthSome of the members of the SBRC’s 2026 South Burnett Relay For Life team … the team was awarded the prize for “most original on-site fundraising”Cr Ros Heit and Deputy Mayor Linda Little with cancer survivor, former Face Of Relay and Cherbourg Elder Eric Law AM who welcomed the walkers and guests to Wakka Wakka countryA special thank you trophy was presented to Jason Wyeth who has organised the Ride 4 Relay for the past 10 years; this year’s final event raised more than $75,000 alone … Jason is pictured with Rowena Dionysius and Matt Gardiner2026 Face Of Relay Lois Turner with South Burnett Relay For Life patron Carl RackemannJohn Bjelke-Petersen, the first chairman of the South Burnett Relay For Life committee, with long-time Relay supporters Joan and John Crumpton, from CrawfordAmber Goldsmith and Rob Fitz-Herbert were just two of the roster of South Burnett musicians who kept the live entertainment going late into the nightAt the afternoon tea for cancer survivors … Laurence Chapman, from Tingoora, and Russell Dower, from GreenviewAmanda Sloan and Chelsea Kerr, from the Westpac branch in Kingaroy, set up a football game for the walkers to enjoy during their breaksCr Danita Potter with the South Burnett Youth Council teamAnd, of course, there was a 21st birthday cake …
