Toowoomba turns maroon to celebrate state’s birthday
THERE was only one thing residents were saying on Queensland Day yesterday and that was “go the Maroons”.
The first game hadn’t been played at the time of going to print, but resident Barry Keleher was sure his team would make him proud.
“We will be watching the State of Origin to see if Queensland win,” he said.
A flag raising in Village Green celebrated the state’s 159th birthday.
“We celebrate that event 159 years ago when Queen Victoria gave the okay for Queensland to become a separate state and separate from New South Wales and thank goodness it did,” Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said.
He boasted about all things great about Queensland and Toowoomba, who had the first female mayor in the state with Nellie Robinson as well as sporting champion Will Power and adventurer Alyssa Azar. He is also adamant the garden city produced the tasty lamington.
Celebrations will continue at the weekend with a flag raising ceremony at Oakey Historical Museum at 1.30pm on Saturday and entertainment, displays and another flag raising at Pittsworth Pioneer Village on Sunday from 10am.
The region’s parkruns will also celebrate with participants encouraged to wear maroon and enjoy birthday cake at Queens Park, Middle Ridge Park, Highfields, Oakey and Pittsworth. Go to tr.qld.gov.au.