SUNDAY 26 JANUARY
Australia Day isn’t just a public holiday. Wherever you are, it’s a chance to celebrate everything that’s great about our country. So, how will you be celebrating Australia Day?
Here in the Lockyer Valley, the options are endless. Download the list of events happening here.
The Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony will be held at the Gatton Shire Hall, 52 North Street, Gatton. Doors will open at 8.30am with the ceremony commencing at 9am. The ceremony welcomes new citizens and aims to pay tribute to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to our local community or achieved exceptional results in sporting, environment or cultural endeavours. The following categories will be announced during the ceremony:
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Junior Sports Award
- Sporting / Community Group of the Year
- Arts and Cultural Award
- Community Event of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Mayoral Award
Boxing great, Jeff Horn, is the Lockyer Valley's Australia Day Award Ambassador this year. Jeff has won numerous awards, including the Don Award, Queensland Sports Star of the Year Award and the GQ Sportsman of the Year Award. Jeff was a quarter finalist at the 2012 London Olympics, which was the best performance by an Australian Olympic boxer for 20 years. In what's regarded as the biggest fight in Australian boxing history, Jeff famously defeated 11 times World Champion Manny Pacquiao in 2017. That same year, he successfully defended his world title against the WBO #10 Gary Corcoran. In 2018, he defeated Anthony Mundine in just 96 seconds. Just last month Jeff won an against-the-odds re-match with Michael Zerafa.
Jeff is the national ambassador for anti-bullying for AMAYDA (Australian Martial Arts Youth Development Alliance), an empowerment program developed to combat bullying in schools, as well as an ambassador for the INAS Global Games. Jeff has built a career on being resilient and the ability to rise above the hand he's dealt and for a region such as ours, this really rings true for so many here in the Lockyer Valley.
Those attending the Awards ceremony will also enjoy the opportunity to hear Jeff speak candidly about his career and achievements, when he sits down with Mayor Milligan to discuss the charities he supports, the work he is passionate about, his resilience and more.
Come celebrate with this year’s award winners at the Gatton Shire Hall before heading out to one of the many events planned in the region. To assist with catering at the Awards Ceremony, please RSVP to lockyerevents@lvrc.qld.gov.au or phone 5462 0647.
Events
Both the Laidley Pioneer Village & Museum and the Gatton & District Historical Society will host Australia Day celebrations.
Laidley Pioneer Village & Museum -
Laidley Pioneer Village & Museum is celebrating all things Aussie. The Big Breakfast from 8.30am, Flag Raising Ceremony at 10am, Devonshire Tea/Coffee for morning tea and BBQ lunch. Entertainment by local musicians and bush poets. Displays include vintage cars, blacksmithing, vintage woodworking, Light Horse Troop, tractors and more. For the kids there is face painting, vintage games, inflatable train, horse and carriage rides. Thrill to the sound of a pianola played by local pianist Lyndal Einam. From 11am, don’t miss the SES and Rural Fire Brigade Tug O’ War and vintage water pump challenge!
Gatton & District Historical Village -
The Gatton & District Historical Village celebrates Australia Day with some great Aussie music, jumping castle, face painting, vintage car display and the Light Horse Gatton Troop display. Displays by the Gatton Lapidary Club, the Lockyer Valley Community Activities Shed, stationary engines, blacksmithing and more. Two for the Road will delight you with great music and there is a raffle up for grabs of fresh fruit and veggies from Boko's. Food and drinks are available for purchase with an Aussie BBQ lunch on offer, plus of course morning tea delights including scones, lamingtons, damper as well as tea and coffee.
To register or view an event taking place in the Lockyer Valley this year visit www.luvyalockyer.com.au.
