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Last Updated: Tuesday, 03 February 2026 16:00

Published: Thursday, 22 January 2026 15:53

Toowoomba Region residents are invited to join community Australia Day celebrations at Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) 2026 civic Australia Day award presentations and commemorations on Monday, January 26, 2026. (*Event listings below)

TRC Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald said the community-run activities were a fitting way to mark our national day.

“I encourage residents to join the community festivities marking our national day across the Region,” Mayor McDonald said.

“Regardless of where residents mark our national day, we continue to live in a special part of Australia.

“It is an occasion to reflect and celebrate the best aspects of living in Australia. We should not lose sight of our good fortune to live in this part of Australia.”

TRC Australia Day Coordinating Working Group chair Cr James O’Shea said Local Australia Day Working Groups had worked behind the scenes in recent months with the support of Council officers to organise the civic activities.

“Council and the Working Group volunteers encourage residents to fly the Aussie flag and join activities to share the national spirit,” Cr O’Shea said.

“There is no better way to celebrate Australia Day than with other Australians. Australia Day is a fitting occasion to celebrate the varied attributes and values of our national character.

“Toowoomba Region Australia Day awards will be presented to our achievers and community-minded citizens. Councillors will be attending events across the Region.”

Mayor McDonald will present the Toowoomba service area TRC Australia Day awards at Picnic Point during the awards ceremony which starts at 8.30am.

TRC’s regional events, Monday, January 26, 2026:

Toowoomba – Picnic Point, 162 Tourist Road, Toowoomba, 8-11.30am. Join us from 8.30am with a warm welcome from our Toowoomba Region Town Crier Kevin Howarth. 8.45am flag raising, national anthem by Women in Harmony Choir, Australia Day award presentations (includes an Australia Day Prayer, Mayoral message, Australia Day affirmation and flag presentation). Free sausage sizzle, scones, flag tattoos and Dreamtime Games followed by entertainment by Oz Boys, and free ice creams from 10-11.30am. Tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available for purchase throughout the morning.

Cambooya – Cambooya Recreation Reserve, Lucy Street, Cambooya 7.30-9.30am. 7.30am free barbecue breakfast, free children’s face painting, entertainment, coffee van. Awards ceremony from 8.15am.

Clifton – Pioneer Park, 99 King Street, Clifton 7-10am. 7am: entertainment, free barbecue breakfast cooked by the Clifton Lions Club. To be followed by the Australia Day awards ceremony from 9am. Please BYO chair or picnic blanket.

Crows Nest – Centenary Park, William Street, Crows Nest 3.30-7pm. Entertainment from 3.30pm by Adele Adams & Cloud 9. Welcome, presentation of Australia Day awards, formalities from 4.30pm. Free barbecue and entertainment from 5.30pm.

Highfields – At the civic forecourt outdoor area at the Highfields Library from 7-10am. 7am free barbecue breakfast and lamingtons, with entertainment and free face painting. Coffee van on site.
From 8am the event includes the opening of a time capsule from 2001. The time capsule was buried to mark the centenary of Australia’s federation by the late Mayor of the then Crows Nest Shire, Cr Geoff Patch. The Crows Nest & District Libraries oversaw the contents of the time capsule, with copies of the contents to be displayed on the day. Australia Day awards ceremony from 8.15am. BYO picnic rug or chair.

Millmerran (incorporating Cecil Plains) at Lions Park, corner of Edward & Margaret Streets, Millmerran, 8-11am. Free barbecue breakfast from 8-9am; awards ceremony 9-10am with Councillor address, presentation of awards. 10am morning tea, meet and greet. BYO water bottle, hat, chair, picnic blanket (limited seating).

Oakey – Oakey Cultural Centre, corner of Campbell and McDonald Streets, Oakey, 7.30-10.30am. From 7.30am free barbecue breakfast provided by the Oakey Lions Club. Free face painting. Award ceremony from 8.30-9.30am includes acknowledgement of traditional custodians, flag raising, national anthem, Councillor address, award presentations. 9.30am free morning tea. Free family games and activities follow the official ceremony.

Pittsworth – Pittsworth Centenary Park followed by Pittsworth Town Hall, 7.30-11am. Free face painting and barbecue breakfast at Pittsworth Centenary Park cooked by the Pittsworth Men’s Shed from 7.30-8.30am followed at 9am by an awards ceremony in the Pittsworth Town Hall, including an address by Australia Day Ambassador Gerald Garard, a 2026 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year nominee. Mr Garard was nominated for his work supporting PTSD recovery efforts. Morning tea and damper will be served after the awards ceremony.

Yarraman – Yarraman Memorial Hall, Browne Street, Yarraman (Goombungee service area, former Rosalie). 8-11am. Free breakfast will be available from 8am. Awards ceremony starting at 9am. Entertainment includes live music and face painting.

(TRC facility) Jondaryan Woolshed: 264 Jondaryan-Evanslea Road, Jondaryan: Fun activities for the whole family from 8.30am to 1.30pm. Food available from the damper hut, barbecue hut and Flagstone Creek Hall. Enjoy free train rides, free damper, water park, face painting, animal nursery, games, tug-o-war, beekeeping demonstration, blacksmithing, shearing displays and heritage machinery displays and more displays marking Australia’s farming heritage. Entry fees: $12 adults, concession card $10, family $30 (two adults, three children), child $6 (five to 14), free entry under five.

Other community events that are taking place across the Toowoomba Region on January 26, can be viewed by visiting, https://visit.tr.qld.gov.au

Other community events: Highfields Pioneer Village – 73 Wirraglen Road, Highfields, 9am-5pm. Enjoy a mini-market day. Entertainment, mini train and vintage bus rides, the museum will be open with tickets optional to enter the main Village complex to see sheep shearing, whip cracking. Cost $25.

DownsSteam – 16 Cambooya Street, Drayton, 9am-3pm. Flag raising ceremony from 11am. Sausage sizzle, Café Loco operating. Live music by the Toowoomba Municipal Band. General Museum entry $5 per person.

To add your event details to the website, register for free via the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW). All information is available for distribution onto ATDW partners’ websites, supporting local tourism businesses in expanding their online exposure, bookings and marketing.