Council Australia Day celebrations cancelled

Fraser Coast Australia Day celebrations have been cancelled due to rapid spread of the Omicron strain of Covid-19.

Council had planned to hold an Australia Day Awards celebration at the Brolga Theatre on January 26 and a ceremony to congratulate all Australia Day Award nominees at the Memorial Hall in Pialba on January 19.

Council is working on a plan to hold a pared-down Citizenship Ceremony at the Brolga on Australia Day (January 26) with only the recipients and no guests.

“It is disappointing,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

“It is very important that we take the time as a community to recognise the hard work and dedication of Fraser Coast residents who volunteer and contribute so much to ensure we live in a vibrant community.

“But we have to heed calls by the premier and health authorities to stay home unless absolutely necessary and avoid crowds to slow the spread of the Omicron strain of COVID-19.”

Council staff are contacting award nominees and citizenship ceremony participants as quickly as possible to make them aware of the changed circumstances

The list of Australia Day Award recipients will be released to the media in time for the celebrations.