Our region sure has some funny traditions on Australia Day

*This man was one of the winners of the Gumboot Toss in Kyogle last weekend, and he is invited to Bonalbo to win the Gold Gumboot Trophy. Pictured here with Tom Cooper who ran the comp.*

Susanna Freymark

What will you be doing on Australia Day? Here are some of your choices – car, bike and ute show, cane toad comp with cash prizes, cricket, billy tea, damper, more cricket, lolly scrambles, thong throwing and sausage sizzles everywhere from Tabulam to Broadwater.

Did I mention cricket? From the infamous City vs Country match at Woodenbong to the West of the Ranges Ashes at Mallanganee where it is The West vs The Rest.

And how about the Gumboot Toss at Bonalbo which this year has ramped up to become the Rivers of Origin Gold Gumboot Toss with a magnificent perpetual golden gumboot trophy at stake.

A Gumboot Toss was held at Kyogle’s Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival last Saturday and the three winners have been invited to compete for the Golden Gumboot in Bonalbo.

Check out our What’s On listing for details about events in Kyogle and Richmond Valley LGAs.

Broadwater

From 9am to 1pm, enjoy the various activities on display, markets, food, live music and the official ceremony at 10 am at the Broadwater Hall.

The Australia Day Award nominees are here.

*Richmond Valley Australia Day Awards nominees.*

Kyogle

Starting at 9am with billy tea and damper (they usually have Golden Syrup too) at the Kyogle Amphitheatre Park.

After the official ceremony there is a free barbecue.

Bonalbo

Bonalbo has some unusual Australia Day traditions including the biggest cane toad comp, the Gumboot Toss and this year there is a Show n Shine car, bike, ute display with prizes valued at $1000.

The inaugural Rivers of Origin (Clarence v Richmond) Golden Gumboot Toss is at 2.30pm.

*The paint on the Gold Gumboot trophies is drying as you read this.*

All this is happening at the bowling club which is right next to the golf course so there’s plenty of bowls and golf too.

Guest speaker is Janice Sigley talking about the success of story dogs.

Bonalbo will have free lamingtons and sandwiches for everyone.

*The Gumboot Toss is harder than it looks.*

Woodenbong

Woodenbong has comedian and actor Rhys Muldoon as the guest speaker at the Woodenbong Hall.

Get there early for billy tea and damper followed by the flag raising outside the Woodenbong Public Hall.

Here are the award nominees for Kyogle LGA.

*Some of the award nominees in Kyogle LGA.*

There are also events at Tabulam, Dyraaba, Urbenville and Mallanganee, details at What’s On.

Wanna swim?

Entry to all three Kyogle Council pools is free on Australia Day.

Pool opening hours this Sunday will be:

Kyogle Pool: 10am–6pm (featuring the inflatable obstacle course)

Bonalbo Pool: 11am–6pm

Woodenbong Pool: 2pm–6pm

Details on Australia Day events are here.