Governor attends Australia Day Flag Raising in Townsville

The Governor has attended the 2026 Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Jezzine Barracks in Townsville, where heavy rain did little to dampen the spirit of the occasion or the pride of those gathered to mark Australia Day.

Despite persistent and at times driving rain, members of the Australian Defence Force Royal Guard of Honour held formation for the entirety of the ceremony, exemplifying the discipline and professionalism that the event exists to recognise. The crowd, undeterred by the weather, remained engaged and enthusiastic as the ceremony unfolded.

Presented by Townsville City Council in partnership with the Queensland Government and supported by the Australian Defence Force, the Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony is a significant moment in Queensland’s Australia Day celebrations. The ceremony featured the Royal Guard of Honour, the Band of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, a 21‑gun salute, and the raising of the Australian, Queensland, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, and the Governor's Standard.

In her address, the Governor reflected on Townsville’s long and proud connection to flag‑raising ceremonies, noting that Queensland’s first official Australia Day flag raising was held at Jezzine Barracks more than a decade ago. She also recalled the city’s resourcefulness in 1901 when, in the absence of an official national flag, a local sailmaker created a version of the newly announced design so the ceremony could proceed — a story that she said perfectly captured the initiative and grit that characterised Townsville and North Queensland.

The Governor spoke of those same qualities being evident today, particularly as communities continue to support one another in the face of recent challenges, and noted that raising the Australian flag remained a powerful way of recognising both our history and who we are as a nation now. While flag‑raising traditions were rooted in the past, she said, they continued to speak clearly to our shared identity, values and unity as Australians.

She also acknowledged the importance of Australia Day as a time to recognise service and contribution, congratulating recipients of the Townsville City Council Australia Day Awards, Queenslanders named in the Australia Day Honours List, and those taking part in the Citizenship Ceremony later in the morning. In welcoming new citizens, the Governor highlighted the enduring values of fairness, equality, respect and mutual support that underpin Australia’s inclusive and democratic society.

The Governor concluded by thanking the Australian Defence Force Royal Guard of Honour and the Band of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment for their ceremonial contribution to the day, and expressed her pleasure that the flag‑raising ceremony at Jezzine Barracks had become a valued and enduring Australia Day tradition.

Following the flag raising, the program continued with the Townsville City Council Australia Day Awards ceremony and the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, formally welcoming the newest members of the Australian community.