State spotlight on Townsville for Aussie Day celebrations
Date published: 24 January 2017
Townsville will again take centre stage in Queensland’s Australia Day activities next week with a major celebration of Aussie spirit at Jezzine Barracks.
In a coup for city, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland and the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Premier of Queensland and Minister for the Arts will be in Townsville to officiate at the Citizenship, Flag Raising and Australia Day Award ceremonies.
Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the Townsville City Council was finalising a big day of entertainment and activities for families at Jezzine Barracks.
“It’s a great honour to have both the Queensland Governor and Queensland Premier here again to the city to officiate at our Australia Day celebrations,” Cr Hill said.
“Having His Excellency and Premier here to officiate for the Flag Raising is great for the event and the city’s profile, and this year they will both participate in the Citizenship and Awards ceremony.
“The council is staging a big day for families with a fun run, big Aussie breakfast, entertainment, displays and everything from Aussie cars to amusement rides for the kids.
“It will be a true celebration of all things Australian and I invite our residents to come out for a great day at Jezzine and the Strand.”
The flag raising ceremony will again be a major highlight of the day and will include an Australian Defence Force guard of honour, 21 gun salute and an Royal Australian Air Force fly past along Kissing Point.
The ceremony has been staged in Townsville since 2015 and commemorates the raising of the very first Australian flag raising in Townsville some 114 years ago by the country’s first Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun.
A bumper schedule of events will kick off early with the Townsville RSL Aussie Day Fun Run and Breakfast which will start at Jezzine Barracks and continue up to Strand Park. Entry is a gold coin donation to charity. The city will also welcome 100 new Australian citizens as part of a morning ceremony.
“The Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony is a special occasion for those people who are officially becoming citizens on the day,” Cr Hill said.
“The Australia Day Awards are always a big part of the day and acknowledge people who have made a significant contribution to our community and I am looking forward to the announcement of the Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards.
The Flag Raising Ceremony will include the raising of the Australian, Queensland, Townsville, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Governor’s flags.
Key times:
- 7am – Townsville RSL Aussie Day Fun Run and breakfast
- 8.30am – Citizenship Ceremony
- 10.15am – Flag Raising Ceremony – including 21 Gun Salute, and Royal Australian Air Force fly past followed by the Australia Day Awards presentation
Road Closures
Road closures will be in place within the Jezzine Barracks precinct between 5am and 1pm on the day. No entry will be permitted from The Strand, Mitchell St and Cook St.
Noise Warning
The Australian Defence Force will be conducting a traditional 21 Gun Salute, followed by a Royal Australian Air Force Flypast at Jezzine Barracks at approx 11am.
For more information and a full timetable of events visit: https://whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au/events/australia-day-2017
