GLOUCESTER’S annual Australia Day celebrations will be held at the Gloucester Showground on Monday, 26 January 2026.
The community-run event is supported by the voluntary efforts of individuals, service clubs and local businesses and organised by the Gloucester Australia Day Committee.
Festivities commence in the showground’s undercover function area with a free breakfast available from 8:15am.
The breakfast is a true community effort with Lions and Rotary Club members cooking, Quota Club members serving and CWA members providing drinks.
Gloucester Australia Day Committee‘s stated aim is to “continue the tradition of celebrating our nation in the heart of our own local community”.
The annual colouring-in competition returns in 2026, with a theme of “Together We Go Forward”.
There are three sections in this popular competition.
The Infant section for children in Kindergarten to Year 3, the Primary section for children in Years 4 to 6, and the Senior section for senior citizens.
Entry forms may be downloaded from www.gloucesteraustraliaday.com.
Alternatively, entry forms can be obtained from the Gloucester Information Centre and returned there for submission.
Locals are also encouraged to participate in the Best Dressed Competition, which provides an opportunity for participants to express their creativity in true Aussie fashion.
The committee is additionally calling for nominations for the Australia Day awards, which seek to recognise the contributions of “individuals, businesses and organisations that serve to make our community and nation great.”
The categories for Citizen Nominations are:
Local Project of the Year
Local Community Business of the Year
Local Young Person of the Year
Local Citizen of the Year
Acknowledgement of Achievement Award for a past Gloucester resident who has been outstanding in their field.
“Please tell us who you would like to nominate and why,” the committee said.
“Submissions are to be received no later than 4pm Friday 9 January 2026.”
Nomination forms are available online at www.gloucesteraustraliaday.com or at the Gloucester Information Centre, the Post Office, the Library, or the Barrington Store.
Return completed nomination forms in a sealed envelope by the due date.
The Committee is running a raffle to help fund the event, which does not receive any government grants.
Tickets can be purchased at the markets on 10 January and outside McGrath’s Real Estate on the morning of 24 January.
By Marilyn SANDERSON
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