Day of fun to unite eco-minded

Celebrations at Lake Annand Park

LAKE Annand Park will come to life for Sunday’s United Nations World Environment Day celebrations.

Six-and-a-half hours of music, song, dance, speakers, stalls and activities will burst forth from 9.30am with the opening prayer and acknowledgment of Giabal and Jarowair country.

It is a free family fun day in the park.

A spokesman said stalls catering to a wide range of interests would include Sea Shepherd information and merchandise, Toowoomba Esperanto Society’s international language, David Wiedman’s snakes and reptiles, Baha’i Peace Tree and children’s activities.

Look out for local eco-warriors the Friends of the Escarpment Parks with information fresh from their rehabilitation of part of Redwood Park, along with Six Harmonies Gifts’ natural and organic products and handmade jewellery, Return to the Wild’s caring for injured koalas and other native animals, plus tea tree oil, pet care, baby care and laundry, Eureka Stockade and Aboriginal flags, and reusable vinyl records.

A special feature will be the Condamine Alliance’s book-reading about preventing the spread of tilapia – the pest fish – into the Condamine catchment. This tale of Finnley’s Great Escape was created by 13 local children.

Entries in the children’s poster competition addressing the United Nations theme Raise Your Voice, Not The Sea Level, will stimulate visitors’ creativity in the centre of the grounds alongside the lake.

The voices of young talent from Stars ‘n’ Idols will kickstart the entertainment. Even younger learners can join in the exuberant introduction to sound and rhythm with The Music Man’s ukuleles and drums.

East Creek Park Defenders will join the celebrations after their march from Garnet Lehmann Park.

A strong speakers’ platform interspersing the music, song and dance features Bob Watson of Sea Shepherd, Dianne Lukes for the Toowoomba Esperanto Society, and Rod May from the East Creek Park Defenders.

Speakers will be available for Q&A sessions in the gazebo near the lake.

A taste-tempting array of wholesome food includes Dutch poffertjes, twisted potatoes, exotic curries and corn-on-the-cob.