A grand parade of 197 riders, aged from two to 80, were greeted by more than 5000 people as they crossed the finish line in the Maytown to Cooktown Gold and Mail-run ride.
HOW I wish I had been born to enjoy the Bicentenary and the celebration of 200 years since the First Fleet arrived in Australia.
Colonial dress inspired parties – check.
Giveaway prizes that were actually decent – check.
Pomp and ceremony – check and check.
There was the First Fleet re-enactment; the historic mail run trek from Maytown to Cooktown; the Bicentennial Air Race; and cyclists took to the road from Winton to Townsville via Rockhampton.
While there were a myriad of events throughout the year, it wasn’t always joyous with Indigenous Australians protesting against white Australian celebrations.
Check out the August 8 edition of the North Queensland Register to read about the Bicentenary.
