Australia Day Archives - Kenmore News

Bellbowrie to Kick Off Australia Day Weekend with Family Fun Day

Local residents will have the chance to celebrate Australia Day early this year with a family-friendly event at the Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club.

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The club will host its Australia Day celebration on Sunday, 25 January 2026 from 1pm, giving families the perfect opportunity to enjoy the long weekend before the official public holiday on Monday, 26 January.

The afternoon promises games, food, live music and entertainment suitable for all ages. Lawn games will be set up for children of all ages, while Aussie-themed food specials will be available throughout the event. The club will also be running meat raffles, a popular tradition at community clubs across Australia.

Photo credit: Facebook/Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club

Live music will kick off the entertainment from 1pm through to 4pm, creating a festive atmosphere for families to enjoy on the club’s outdoor deck overlooking the sports fields.

The Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club, located at 70 Sugarwood Street, serves as a vital hub for the local community. As a not-for-profit organisation, the club is home to several local sporting groups and regularly hosts community events that bring residents together.

About Australia Day

Australia Day is celebrated annually on 26 January, marking the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove. While in 2026, Australia Day falls on Monday 26 January, many communities across the country hold celebrations on the weekend to allow more families to participate.

Australia Day celebrations typically feature citizenship ceremonies, community awards, barbecues, outdoor concerts and sports events across the country. The Bellbowrie event captures this spirit of community gathering with its family-focused program of activities.

For Bellbowrie and surrounding suburbs including Kenmore, the Sunday afternoon celebration offers locals a relaxed way to mark the national day. With free entry and activities designed to appeal to all age groups, organisers are hoping for a strong turnout from the community.

The club’s regular courtesy bus service operates on weekend afternoons for members and their guests, making it easier for residents to attend the celebration.

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As Australia Day approaches, the Bellbowrie event represents one of many local celebrations happening across Brisbane’s western suburbs, bringing neighbours together to enjoy the summer weather and community spirit that makes these suburban communities special.

The event promises to be an enjoyable afternoon out for the whole family, with something on offer for everyone from young children to grandparents. Whether it’s joining in the lawn games, enjoying some classic Aussie tucker, listening to live music, or simply catching up with neighbours and friends, the celebration is shaping up to be a highlight of the long weekend.

Published 23-January-2026

Brisbane Kids Planner: Top Events for 23–26 January 2026

The Australia Day long weekend brings some massive family attractions to Brisbane. The world’s largest inflatable theme park, The Big Bounce, launches on Saturday, while Bluey’s World continues to draw crowds at Northshore. It is also the final weekend to catch the creative workshops at the Museum of Brisbane before they wrap up for the school holidays.

The Big Bounce

24 January – 1 February 2026 | Eagles Sports Complex, Mansfield
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Prepare for some serious airtime as the world’s largest inflatable theme park takes over Mansfield. Featuring massive ball pits, climbing towers, and a 300-metre long obstacle course, this is a high-energy day out suitable for toddlers, older kids, and even adults.

Bluey’s World

15 January – 15 March 2026 | Northshore Pavilion, Hamilton
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Brisbane’s most famous blue heeler welcomes families into her world. This immersive experience recreates the Heeler family home with impressive detail, offering interactive games, photo opportunities, and a chance to play in the backyard just like in the show.

Puppy Yoga

24 & 25 January 2026 | Paddington & Bulimba
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Combine relaxation with cuteness overload. These sessions guide you through a yoga class while adorable puppies roam the room for cuddles.

24 Jan: Yoga Bones, Paddington
25 Jan: The Centre of Dance, Bulimba

Story Bridge Adventure Climb

15 December 2025 – 23 January 2026 | Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Brisbane City
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It is the final day (Friday) to take advantage of the school holiday specials. brave the heights and take the family to the top of Brisbane’s iconic bridge for panoramic views of the city and river—a thrilling way to start the long weekend.

MoB Kids: Dazzle Discs

13 December 2025 – 26 January 2026 | Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
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Celebrate the sparkly city lights in this craft workshop. Kids can design and create their own light-reflecting “dazzle discs” to take home. This is the final weekend to catch this activity before it closes.

MoB Kids: Cut + Collect Badge Studio

5 – 26 January 2026 | Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
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Another creative offering closing this weekend. Children can design their own badges using collage techniques, taking inspiration from the museum’s art collection to create a wearable masterpiece.

Backbone Theatre For Babies

23 January 2026 | Backbone Youth Arts, Seven Hills
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A gentle and engaging performance designed specifically for infants and their carers. This theatre experience uses sensory play, sound, and movement to captivate the youngest audience members in a safe and welcoming environment.

Holidays Kids Combo

15 December 2025 – 27 January 2026 | Pacific Golf Club, Carindale
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Pacific Golf Club continues its popular holiday combo deal. It’s a great way to get the kids outdoors for a round of mini-golf, with food and drink options making it an easy, low-stress outing for parents.

Children’s storytime in the park – Frew Park

23 January 2026 | Frew Park, Milton
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Head to the famous “arena” playground at Frew Park for a special outdoor storytime. It’s a free, relaxed morning of stories and songs, followed by plenty of time to run around on the massive concrete play structures.

STEAM Sundays

25 January 2026 | Indooroopilly Library, Indooroopilly
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Keep the brain ticking over with this Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths workshop. Suitable for school-aged kids, this Sunday session offers fun challenges that encourage problem-solving and creativity.

First 5 Forever children’s storytime

23 January 2026 | Carina Library, Carina
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A classic library storytime session designed to foster a love of reading in children under five. Expect rhymes, songs, and picture books in a cool, air-conditioned setting—perfect for escaping the January humidity.

With the school year fast approaching, this Australia Day long weekend serves as the ultimate summer finale for Brisbane families. It is the perfect time to burn off that boundless holiday energy at The Big Bounce or soak up some culture at the Museum of Brisbane before their seasonal workshops wrap up. Whether you are seeking adrenaline-pumping fun or a gentle start to the year with puppy yoga, be sure to lock in your tickets early to end the holidays on a high note.

Kenmore Tavern, Local Pubs Navigate Australia Day Ban Controversy

Photo Credit: The Kenmore/Facebook

The Australian Venue Co, which operates The Kenmore tavern, faced community backlash after saying it would ban Australia Day celebrations across its more than 200 venues nationwide, including 90 in Queensland, before backtracking within a day.

Controversy Surrounding Australia Day Policies

The Australian Venue Co (AVC) first asked its venues to refrain from staging particular Australia Day events on 26 January 2025, considering the day was divisive and would hurt some patrons. The decision covered popular local venues such as The Kenmore and was highly criticised by patrons, community leaders, and politicians.

Soon after announcing the ban, AVC apologised, stating that their intention was not to divide but to foster inclusivity. AVC clarified that their venues would remain open on Australia Day, allowing patrons to celebrate the day as they wished.

One of the major venues owned by AVC in Queensland, The Kenmore, has been at the center of debate. As a family-friendly venue and strong local identity, it has been a community hub in Kenmore for years. Residents have expressed hope that the venue will maintain its ability to cater to diverse views while respecting the day’s significance to all Australians.

AVC assured the public that it would not enforce any bans on celebrations and said that it was committed to serving all patrons regardless of their stance on Australia Day.

Mixed Reactions from the Community

Residents and community leaders expressed mixed reactions to the decision and subsequent apology. Some politicians criticised the company for dictating how Australians should celebrate their national day, while local businesses in Brisbane emphasised their commitment to traditional Australia Day events, including barbecues and live entertainment.

While some in the Kenmore community voiced disappointment at the change, saying local traditions should be preserved, others welcomed the change, considering it a step towards greater cultural sensitivity. The day marks an important historical milestone for Indigenous Australians.

The Kenmore, Australia Day — *Photo Credit: Tatters/Flicker*

National Debate Over Australia Day

This controversy is part of a wider national conversation about the future of Australia Day. Many establishments, including Woolworths and Aldi, have stopped promoting the day, and over 80 councils across Australia no longer hold citizenship ceremonies on 26 January. Indigenous leaders and activists have long described the date as a day of mourning due to its association with colonisation and its impact on First Nations peoples.

However, opponents of the movement to change or downplay the day argue that it is still a significant opportunity to celebrate Australia’s achievements and multicultural society.

Some have called for boycotts of AVC venues in protest against what they view as unnecessary politicisation of a national holiday.

Published 3-Dec-2024

Celebrate Australia Day at Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club

Photo Credit: Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club

Hold onto your sun hats and check out Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club’s ingenious plan to tackle the Aussie summer heat on Australia Day!

The annual celebration, happening on 26 Jan 2024, is all set to make waves as 70 Sugarwood St comes alive with water slides, free water squirters for kids, and a slew of other summer shenanigans for the guests. It’s all about making a splash!

There will be live music, games for all ages, food trucks, a charity Sausage Sizzle, and Aussie food specials at the Bistro.

Australia Day Bellbowrie — Photo Credit: Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Over the years, it has evolved into a national holiday marked by various events and ceremonies.

Initially known as Foundation Day and later as Anniversary Day, it became an official holiday in 1938. Fast forward to 1988, and the 26th of January became a national public holiday.

The date has evolved to recognize the Indigenous nations and their rich culture, ensuring that Australia Day is a day of reflection and celebration for all. So, as you splash and slide through the festivities, remember the significance of this historic day.

Happy Australia Day, Bellbowrie style!

Published 9-Jan-2024