Celebrate Australia Day at Jezzine Barracks

Celebrate Australia Day in style in 2021 with a free, family-friendly event at Jezzine Barracks.

The event will include the Aussie Fun Run, Aussie Breakfast (first 500), the Get Active Expo, Australia Day Awards, State Flag Raising and a citizenship ceremony.

Acting Mayor Mark Molachino said the 2021 Australia Day celebrations had taken on a new look and were giving the community even more to do.

“This year, in addition to hosting our main Australia Day ceremonies, we have our Get Active Expo being held at Jezzine Barracks for residents to attend,” Cr Molachino said.

“We also have the privilege of again welcoming Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP and the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, to Townsville to once again celebrate Australia Day in our city.

“We live in a city that is steeped in history and we’re lucky to be able to share that with our community this year, especially as so many of our events were cancelled last year due to COVID-19.”

Cr Molachino said Australia Day 2021 provided the community an important opportunity to reflect on the challenges of previous years, respect the selfless community members that worked on the frontline during numerous disasters, and to celebrate being able to come together.

“As a country and a city, we have faced down immense challenges over the past few years, and although we’re not out of the woods with COVID-19 yet, I’m grateful that we can come together and celebrate Australia,” he said.

“With that, I’d also like to urge anyone that is joining us on Australia Day to be mindful of COVID-19 and be courteous to each other by socially distancing and staying home if you are unwell.”

National Australia Day Council Chief Executive Officer Karlie Brand said the role of local governments bringing communities together on our national day has never been more important.

“That’s why the National Australia Day Council has provided $15 million in grants to Australian councils and not-for-profit organisations for Australia Day events in 2021,” she said.

“The National Australia Day Council is delighted to be supporting Townsville City Council to deliver an Australia Day that encourages its community to come together and reflect, respect and celebrate.”

The core mission of the National Australia Day Council is to actively promote our national day to all Australians to inspire national pride and increase participation and engagement across all sectors of the community.

Event Details

Where: Jezzine Barracks

Key times:

• 6.30am – Aussie Fun Run
• 8am – Free Aussie Breakfast (for the first 500 people)
• 8.30am – Australia Day Awards Ceremony
• 8.30am – Get Active Expo
• 10am – Flag Raising Ceremony
• 11am – Citizenship Ceremony

Road Closures

Road closures will be in place within the Jezzine Barracks precinct between 5am and 12:30pm on Australia 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.