Scores of proud, patriotic Aussies converged at Jezzine Barracks on the The Strand, Townsville this morning to soak up the incredible atmosphere of the local Australia Day events and celebration, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Townsvillians both old and new.
Celebrations started at 6am with the traditional Townsville RSL Aussie Day fun run and breakfast, and later in the morning many local community members released tears of pride and joy as they officially became Australians during the citizenship ceremony.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed the new community members by saying “congratulations on your first day as true blue Australian citizens”.
Premier Palaszczuk and His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland were in the city to officiate during the flag raising ceremony, which saw 100, 1RAR soldiers form a royal guard under the command of Major Marshall Lawrence. This rousing event was followed by a 21 gun salute and Australian Defence Force fly past.
Townsville citizens who’ve made outstanding contributions to the local community were later recognised and celebrated during the Australia Day Awards ceremony.
Award winners included:
- Citizen of the Year – Noel Price
- Young Citizen of the Year – Praveen Gurusinghe
- Senior Sports Person of the Year – Linda Davis
- Junior Sport Person of the Year – Kajsa Souter
- Sports Administartor of the Year – Danny Ormonde
- Spirit of Townsville Award – Alfred Smallwood
- Community Event of the Year – The Challenge Games
- Cultural Award – Happy Feat Townsville
- Environmental Excellence and Sustainability Award – Rike Wolf
Delicious traditional Aussie tucker, live entertainment, bush poetry recitals, a great Australian car display and free amusement rides for the younger generation kept families and friends busy well after the official events for the day had ended.
Local pubs and clubs have gotten into the spirit of the day and many venues are expected to be packed to the rafters well into the night with special Australia Day themed events taking place all over Townsville.