Council supports Fraser Coast 2025 Australia Day events

Free barbecues, live music, thong throwing, a pie-eating competition, and historical reenactments are among the activities planned for Fraser Coast Australia Day 2025 events supported by Council grants and sponsorship.

Communities spokesperson Cr Michelle Govers said four community groups would receive grants through the Council’s Australia Day Events Fund, while the Hervey Bay Historical Museum Association received sponsorship to support its event.

“Australia Day is a time to reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian spirit – our mateship, our sense of community and our resilience,” she said.

“Through community grants, Council helps local groups host events that bring us together, celebrating and acknowledging each Australian’s unique contributions and stories.”

Australia Day Events grants awarded include:

• Maaroom Progress and Ratepayers Association, $2,000. Australia Day celebrations will include a welcoming ceremony led by local elders, live local music, games and competitions (including a tug of war), a big Aussie barbecue, billy tea and damper.
• Burgowan Mens Bowls Club, $2,000. Event highlights includes lawn bowls for all ages, spit roast lunch, live music, and games and activities for children.
• Poona Community Progress Association, $1,250. Planned activities feature live music, a pie eating competition, thong throwing competitions, and children’s games like ‘Pin the Tail on the Kangaroo’.
• Rotary Club of Maryborough-Sunrise, $850. Activities will include a flag-raising ceremony, a free community breakfast, traditional games (sack races, celebrity dummy spit, thong throwing and three-legged races).

Cr Govers said the Hervey Bay Historical Society Museum Association would also receive a $5,000 Community Celebration Events and Projects sponsorship from Council.

“This sponsorship will support three events at the Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum – a Christmas celebration, an antiques and handcrafts fair and an Australia Day celebration,” she said.

“The Australia Day event will feature old-time crafts and historical displays, including a World War I reenactment by the 9th Battalion and 5th Battalion light horse units.”

Cr Govers said nominations for the Fraser Coast 2025 Australia Day Awards were closing soon (Friday 6 December 2024).

“The Fraser Coast Australia Day Awards are presented each year to citizens and groups making a positive difference or achieving great things in our community,” she said.

“This year, we’ve streamlined award categories to make it easier to nominate deserving individuals and groups.  Now is your chance to celebrate someone you know and recognise the amazing things they do.”

Nomination forms are available at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/australia-day