There will be flies, heat, snags on the barbecue and plenty of ‘slip slop slap’ in Victoria Park this Saturday as Warwick gears up to celebrate Australia Day.
The desire to mark our national day appears to have strengthened, especially for younger people, with Warwick Tourism & Events CEO Tracy Vellacott astounded at the growing number of events aimed at firing up some Aussie spirit.
“Truly, if you can’t find something for you and the ankle biters to do this Saturday, then you’re a few cents short of a dollar,” Mrs Vellacott joked.
“We’ve got it all, from a major cricket carnival to a family cricket carnival at Dalveen. Throw in a crazy duck race in the Allora Swimming Pool, an Aussie talent quest at brekky in Killarney and up in Stanthorpe they’ll be pie-eating, billy-boiling, wood-chopping and chainsaw-ripping. As well, the Downs Dasher steam train will be making a run to Clifton, returning at 3pm, just in time to get freshened up for the Victoria Park fun and fireworks.”
Mrs Vellacott believes that our community and Aussie spirit is also typified by events like Zonta’s Australia Day Breakfast in the Country.
“In a show of Aussie spirit, the Zonta ladies are working hard to raise funds for birthing kits which enable mothers, not as fortunate as those of us in Australia, to give birth in safer and cleaner conditions.
“Clearly, they realise how good we’ve got it in Australia and they’re keen to be good global citizens and help out women in the world who don’t share the lifestyle and conditions that we enjoy.”
Victoria Park celebrations get underway from 4.00pm, where Lions and Rotary Club members will have the BBQ and hot chips fired up.
The audience will enjoy songs that define our Aussie character, including some Aussie rock and pub favourites, along with a performance from the Warwick Thistle Pipe Band to herald the official ceremony’s commencement at 6pm. New citizens will be sworn in and Australia Day Awards presented in recognition of excellence in community, cultural and sporting endeavours.
A free jumping castle and face-painting will keep the kids smiling, as will the fireworks that get underway from approximately 7.45pm.
Well-renowned food consultant Allison Alexander will attend Warwick’s celebrations as guest speaker of the Woolworths Ambassador Program. The Woolworths Ambassador Program sponsors high-achieving Queenslanders like Ms Alexander around the State to help communities throughout Queensland celebrate Australia Day.
