Townsville celebrates Australia Day

Townsville City Council is celebrating Australia Day with a range of activities that reflect on what it means to be Australian.

For energetic early-birds, festivities will begin with the Isynergy Amcal Australia Day Fun Run, a 4.8-kilometre event at Tony Ireland Stadium, Riverway. Registrations open at 6.45am and the run starts at 7.30am.

Prizes include $300 each for the first-placed male and female, and $100 each for first-placed junior male and female. There will also be $200 on offer for the best fancy-dressed individual and for the team of four or more.

For those wanting to celebrate in more leisurely fashion, the Council is hosting the Walters IGA Free Aussie Breakfast for the first 500 people at Riverway Arts Centre Terrace at 8.30am.

This will be followed by a citizenship ceremony at 10am to welcome new residents, and then Australia Day awards. Eight awards will be presented including: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Sports Award, Junior Sports Award, Sports Administrator Award, Cultural Award and Achievement Award.

Ben Ikin, former rugby league player and now a commentator for the Nine Network, will be in Townsville as part of the Woolworths Australia Day Ambassadors Program, which aims to highlight inspiring Australians known for their achievements in sport, business, media and the arts. Ikin will be on hand to assist with the awards ceremony.

A host of entertainment has been organised for family and friends, including the Townsville Brass Band, tenor group Formidable, and the Abbey Road Duo. There will also be free amusement rides for children.

Townsville’s Mayor, Cr Les Tyrell, encouraged all Townsville residents to come along and celebrate our national day.

“This is a day especially set aside for us to take pride in what we’ve achieved in this country, especially the local community. Everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate what’s great about Australia,” he said.

Media Information: Townsville City Council 4727 9565 or 0408 753 472