Ready for a royal visit
ROYAL newly-weds Prince Harry and new wife Meghan should drop into the Toowoomba region during their visit to Australia in the spring.
That’s the view of Cr Geoff McDonald, who called on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to fly into Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport in October to explore what the region has to offer.
Harry and Meghan will be in Sydney from October 20 to attend the Invictus Games, but the rest of their schedule is yet to be confirmed.
Here could be a possible itinerary for the royal couple if they were to drop into the Garden City during the region’s peak tourism season:
1. The Carnival of Flowers
Instead of visiting Australia in October, Cr McDonald suggested Harry and Meghan come early to experience the famous Carnival of Flowers
and the Chronicle Garden Competition.
“If our royals so desire they can meet over 100,000 locals as we line the streets for the Floral Parade with a royal twist and cheer them on,” he said.
“Among over 60 different mini events or activities will be the third running of Polo in the Park that is sure to get our royal visitors’ hearts racing.”
2. Visiting historic cultural sites
The Toowoomba region is home to some ancient cultural and spiritual indigenous sites that the royals could visit.
“The Gummingurru Aboriginal Bora or ceremonial site on Jarowair country will give Harry and Meghan a spiritual feeling like no other place in Australia,” Cr McDonald said.
“Harry and Meghan can journey through the site with a traditional custodian viewing the original stone.”
3. Camp Oven Festival
If the Duke and Duchess of Sussex feel like trying some delicious local food, the Australian Camp Oven Festival is on just weeks before the pair are due to fly into Australia.
“Held over two days on October 6-7 in the rich fertile farming township of Millmerran, this festival is regarded as a must do and the many thousands of visitors testify to this,” Cr McDonald said.
4. Watch some tennis
It might not be Wimbledon, but Harry and Meghan could enjoy some quality tennis at the Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba International during the first week of October.
Cr McDonald said the royal couple could be treated to some strawberries and cream while watching players compete from around the world.
5. The region’s military history and sites
Having served in Afghanistan twice and been seconded to the Australian Defence Force in 2015, Prince Harry is no stranger to the armed forces.
Cr McDonald said the region’s rich military history would be a major selling point for him.
“A visit to our region would not be complete without dropping in to Oakey and Cabarlah Defence Centres where Harry can talk military,” he said.