Queensland ready to celebrate Australia Day

Queensland is ready to celebrate this Australia Day, with an exciting program of events and activities on offer across the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government is committed to helping deliver a program of events that fosters national pride, celebrates community spirit and encourages Queenslanders to celebrate their way this Australia Day.

“This year there are so many wonderful opportunities for Queenslanders to celebrate with their local communities, right across our great state,” the Premier said.

Following on from the success of last year’s celebrations, Great Australian Bites is returning in 2017 bigger and better than ever, with events held across four Queensland locations.

“What better way to celebrate what it means to be Australian than to put our local communities on show,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Great Australian Bites continues to grow and will be held in Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Port Douglas and Longreach this year. These events showcase local produce and home grown musical talents.”

Brisbane will be celebrating at River Quay, South Bank from 26 – 28 January from 11 am to 8.30 pm each day. Phil Jamieson, Dan Kelly, Ben Ely and many more artists will take to the stage with live acoustic performances over the three days. On Thursday 26 January the Brisbane skyline will come alive with a spectacular Australia Day fireworks show, set to spark at 7.30 pm.

“To commemorate our national day in Townsville, a Flag Raising Ceremony will be held at Jezzine Barracks. The Flag Raising Ceremony will feature a spectacular display of the Australian Defence Force including a 21-gun salute and flypast by the Royal Australian Air Force.” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The ceremony will start at 10:15 am and includes the Australian Defence Force Royal Guard of Honour, Band of the 1^st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and the raising of the Australian, Queensland, Townsville, Governor’s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.

The Queensland Government works with the National Australia Day Council to deliver a range of national activities, including the Australia Day Ambassador Program which sends outstanding Queenslanders to local Australia Day events across the state.

“This year 42 Australia Day Ambassadors will travel across Queensland to join in 49 community celebrations. From Thursday Island to Thargomindah, our Australia Day Ambassadors will be part of a vast range of celebrations right across the state, including citizenship ceremonies, awards, festivals, raft races and a coconut bowls competition.”

Queensland workplaces are also encouraged to join, by registering for the Australia Day at Work program.

Australia Day activities in Queensland are proudly supported by the Queensland Government in partnership with the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

Great Australian Bites is delivered in partnership with Brisbane Marketing, Whitsunday Regional Council, Douglas Shire Council and Longreach Regional Council.

For more information, visit qld.australiaday.org.au or follow Australia Day Queensland on Facebook and Instagram.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0417 263 791