The countdown is on to the 2021 Great Australian Bites Railway Picnic Australia Day celebrations at Bargara on 26 January.
The return to Bargara’s Nielson Park, the site of the first Bundaberg Railway Picnic in 1922, was an outstanding success last year and organisers, Rotary Club of Bundaberg City Daybreak, are again hosting this month’s event on behalf of Council.
In recognising the local significance of the event, Rotary Club of Bundaberg City Daybreak president Dave Facer said the club was ensuring that the event would strongly reflect the Bundaberg Region.
“We’ve ensured that all our food vendors feature products made in the Bundaberg Region or include ingredients produced here, and we have some amazing hampers, supplied by the Windmill Café Bargara, showcasing local goods available for pre-order,” Dave said.
“We also have local musicians playing on the day to showcase some of the great music talent we have here in the Bundaberg Region.
“Rotary wants to support the event industry and suppliers who have done it tough over the past eight months.
“Local music, local food and the beach – you can’t get more Australian than that!”
Bundaberg Regional Council portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth was pleased that Rotary Club of Bundaberg City Daybreak had continued its support of the event.
“Australia Day is always a fantastic time for the community to get together and celebrate what it means to be Australian and to appreciate what we have,” Cr Learmonth said.
“The return of the railway picnic to the Australia Day festivities enables us to celebrate our heritage and continue a long-standing local tradition, all while enjoying our great outdoors.”
Dave said COVID-19 restrictions would limit the event capacity to 3000 people but was confident it would again prove a hit with the community and hoped it would continue to be a popular day on the region’s social calendar for many years to come.
“This year is unknown with the impact of COVID, but after the last year, this is the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy live music, sun, beach and local foods,” he said.
“Rotary would love to see this event continue. It is a great opportunity to bring community together and we have such beautiful beaches to enjoy.
“We have a wonderful backyard, and this is a great free event for all ages to enjoy.”
The event will operate under a COVID-safe plan including fencing of the site and contact tracing, and Dave said those attending would be able to practise social distancing.
“The event site is large and with everyone bringing their own picnic blanket and seats it will be easy for families to social distance and enjoy their day out,” he said.
Windmill Cafe Bargara hampers, which come in two-person, four-person and cheese platter arrangements, are available via Bundaberg Tickets until 5pm, January 22, and will be delivered to the event for collection on the day.
The Great Australian Bites Railway Picnic at Nielson Park on January 26 gets under way at 11am and concludes at 6pm.
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A Railway Picnic without a train! These picnics were very popular back in the day when there was a railway to Bargara