Thong throwing, rope making demonstrations, best dressed competitions, and free community breakfasts are among an array of activities on the agenda at Fraser Coast Australia Day 2023 events.

Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott said Council was providing almost $7000 to support five community events through the Australia Day Events Fund.

“Australia Day is a day to reflect, respect, and celebrate the Australian spirit and the best of this country – our mateship, our sense of community, and our resilience,” he said.

“Through these grants, we assist local community groups put on events that bring us together to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution that every Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation.”

The grants include:

• Poona Community Progress Association, $1500. Australia Day event starts at 10am with a morning tea with lamingtons, damper, and billy tea provided. Events throughout the day include thong throwing, indoor bowls, community cricket, and tennis. A barbecue will be served at 1pm followed by live entertainment until 4pm.                                                                                                                               
• Hervey Bay Historical Society Museum Association, $1620. Activities include whip making, rope making, corn shelling, pig weighing, free tractor and 1903 Oldsmobile rides, log sawing and more. Old time games such as stilts, quoits, land skis, hopscotch and billy carts will be played on the Village Green.
• Burrum Heads Progress Association, $634. Event will include sausage, bacon and egg breakfast, flag raising, anthem singing.
• Glenwood Community Centre Inc, $2000. Activities will include a free breakfast, gumboot throwing competition, thong throwing competition, live music and best dressed competition.
• The Rotary Club of Maryborough-Sunrise Inc, $1200. Activities will include a free community breakfast, a parade of the best decorated Aussie hats, live music on the Town Hall Green stage and flag raising.

Cr Truscott encouraged local residents to nominate for the Fraser Coast 2023 Australia Day Awards.

“The Australia Day Awards are a chance for us to congratulate the many people who put so much time and effort into making our community such a fantastic place to live, work and play,” he said.

“We all know someone who inspires us. We’re looking for nominations of outstanding people – both young and old – in sporting, creative, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and volunteer categories.

“This is your chance to celebrate someone you know and recognise the awesome things they do.”

Nomination forms are available at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/australia-day with nominations closing on 5 December 2022.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony at the Brolga Theatre on Australia Day, 26 January 2023.

Article & photo by Fraser Coast Regional Council