Wherever you live in the Bundaberg Region, you can celebrate Australia Day close by with lots of festivities planned in various local communities.
From Gin Gin in the north to Woodgate in the south, residents will be donning their Australiana gear and throwing a sausage on the barbie.
Here’s a rundown of some of the major events in our region on Australia Day, Sunday 26 January.
Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony
Find out who will receive the Bundaberg Regional Council Australia Day Awards – Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event and Community Group.
We will also welcome 52 new citizens from 19 countries in a special Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony.
At: Bundaberg Multiplex, Function Room 1, Civic Avenue entrance.
Times: 9am til approx 10.30am
Entry: Free admission
What’s On: Australia Day Awards followed by Citizenship Ceremony
Aqua Aerobics fundraiser for firefighters
DNA Aqua Aerobics and AquaFun & Fitness have an Australia Day fundraiser every year but this one will be extra special, with funds going to firefighters. All money raised will be going to Rotary for equipment and supplies needed to help volunteer firefighters.
At: Kepnock State High School (Gate 3, Baird Street, Kepnock)
Times: 9am til around 11am
Entry: $10
What’s on: Fun and energetic aqua aerobics class, pool challenges, raffles, sausage sizzle
More details here.
Bargara Great Australian Bites
Celebrate Australia Day at Nielson Park, Bargara with Council’s official celebrations hosted by the Rotary Club of Bundaberg City Daybreak.
This free event is a chance to step back in time to the days of the Bundaberg Railway Picnic.
Join the fun and have a relaxing afternoon of mini sports, beach games, labyrinth walks, sand sculpture competitions, live music with Spargo Brothers, Hats On and The Purple Hills, bbq demonstrations and produce or kick back for a drink from the perfect vantage point at the Surf Life Saving Club.
At: Nielson Park, Fred Courtice Avenue, Bargara
Times: 1pm to 6pm
Entry: Free
What’s on: Fun and games, sand sculpture competition, mini sports, BBQ demonstrations, live music, food and refreshments, labyrinth beach walk.
More details here
Bargara Triathlon Club – Australia Day Aquathon
There’ll be fun and friendly exercise at Bargara Triathlon Club’s Australia Day aquathon at Norville Park swimming complex. Prizes, food and fun galore. You can participate as an individual or as a team.
At: Norville Park swimming complex, Bundaberg
Times: 7am til 9am (registrations from 6am)
Entry fee: various
What’s on: Turtle aquathon, Give It a try aquathlon (13yo+), Sprint aquathlon (14yo+)
More details here.
Burnett Heads
Burnett Heads Australia Day BBQ Breakfast is always a great way to start this special day. There’s a free BBQ breaky and organisers ask you bring your own plate, cup and cutlery to save the environment. By doing this good deed you’ll also receive a free entry in the raffle.
At: Burnett Heads community hall, Jack Norgate oval
Times: 7am til 9am
Entry: Free
What’s on: Free Sausage Sizzle
More details here.
Buxton
Big Brekky BBQ organised by Buxton Rural Fire Brigade, followed by games, including the Buxton Tuff Gutz competition, run by the Buxton Friendship Association
At: Riverfront park, Buxton
Time: From 7am
What’s on: Big Breaky BBQ, Buxton Tuff Gutz competition, games for all ages, raffles.
Childers
Childers Australia Day Ceremony is at the newly refurbished Isis District War Memorial Pool. Entry is from 7am and entry is free for the morning, with a gold coin donation for a BBQ breakfast.
The Childers Australia Day Citizen Awards will be announced at 10.30am, with Awards for Citizen, Community Contribution by a business or incorporated entity; advancement and wellbeing of the community, Sporting and Green Spirit.
At: Isis Memorial Pool
Time: 7am to 11.30am
Cost: FREE pool entry
BBQ: Gold coin donation
What’s on: Pool fun, BBQ Breakfast, Australia Day Citizen Awards. Bring your hat, sunscreen and sun shirt.
Gin Gin
The Australia Day celebrations in Gin Gin are hosted by the Gin Gin Scout Group.
The fun starts at 7.30am with a sausage sizzle. At 8.30am the Gin Gin Australia Day Spirit Awards will be held for Community Service, Customer Service, Organisation Service and Sport and Recreation. At 11am there’ll be a free morning tea.
At: Gin Gin Youth Centre, Walker Street
Times: 7.30am til around 12 noon
Admission: Free
What’s on: Sausage Sizzle, entertainment, fun and games, continuous raffle, Australia Day Awards and free morning tea.
Moore Park Beach
Celebrate Australia Day with a BBQ breakfast from 7am at Moore Park Beach Hall. There’ll be fun, games and competitions for all the family.
Where: Moore Park Beach community hall
Times: 7am 11am
Admission: Free
What’s on: Sumptuous breakfast by Lions Club of Moore Park Beach, free orange juice, tea and coffee, funniest hat, colouring in and Australiana competitions,
Woodgate
Enjoy a morning at Woodgate Beach for their Annual Australia Day celebrations. There’s complimentary breakfast organised by Woodgate Community Events.
Where: Woodgate Community Hall
Times: from 7am
Admission: Free
What’s on: Complimentary breakfast, Woodgate Singers’ entertainment, guest speakers, awards including Citizen of the Year and Community Organisation of the Year
- More Australia Day news
