Aussie pride at Glengallan

BUSH poetry, damper and billy tea, wood chopping, barbecue, games and entertainment are just a few of the activities planned for Australia Day on the Southern Downs.
Southern Downs Regional Council mayor Peter Blundell is inviting everyone to enjoy a great Australia Day on Monday 26 January, with celebrations and Australia Day awards ceremonies to be held at Glengallan Homestead (northern end of council area) and Stanthorpe (southern end of council area).
“Glengallan will be an excellent location for our Australia Day activities and there will be plenty for everyone to do from 8am with a huge range of stalls and market day.
“From 9am the Glengallan grounds will fill with the sound of bush poetry and then at 10am we will begin the official proceedings of day which includes a citizenship ceremony and presentation of Australia Day awards.
“After our formal presentations there will be plenty of entertainment and variety of food.
“Following the Glengallan event Australia Day celebrations will be held at Stanthorpe. As many would know there is a long held tradition for the Australia Day Triathlon to be held Australia Day morning from 6.30am.
“The Stanthorpe Swimming Pool has free swimming from 2pm onwards and Weeroona Park will busy with activity also from 2pm. There will be musical entertainment, barbecue, flag raising, woodchopping, chainsaw events and the much-anticipated Australian Quart Pot Billy Boiling Championships.
“The citizenship ceremony and the Australia Day awards presentation will begin at 4pm.
“I always look forward to Australia Day and will be pleased to meet our Australia Day Ambassador Mayor Jim Campbell. Major Campbell is a Foundation Member, CEO and Chief Pilot of the first Community Search, Rescue and Medical Evacuation Helicopter Service in Queensland.
“Australia Day is the perfect opportunity to have a family day out and celebrate everything that is great about Australia. Make sure you take advantage of the many local events across the Southern Downs,“ he said.
More details of Australia Day celebrations are at www.sdrc.qld.gov.au.