Rubber-Duck Race in Aid of Bushfire Relief Appeal

Council will be supporting the Australian bushfire relief appeal at the Australia Day Pool Party, with proceeds from a rubber-duck race to go towards assisting those who have been affected by the devastating fires in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

The fundraiser will be assisted by Mount Isa Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the Mount Isa Rural Fire Brigade and donations will be collected by the Mount Isa branch of the Salvation Army.

Mayor Joyce McCulloch said the feedback from the community currently was that they wanted to assist with the bushfire appeal in some way, and Council decided Australia Day was the perfect opportunity.

“While we remain safe and well here in Mount Isa, it is a very different story in other parts of the country, so we’re looking forward to displaying some mateship this Australia Day by fundraising for our fellow Aussies in affected areas,” Cr McCulloch said.

“We encourage the community to come along and take part and meet some of your own local firefighting heroes from the QFES and Rural Fire Brigade.”

People can sponsor a duck for a $5 donation, with a total of 200 ducks to take part in the race across the width of the main pool at Splashez.

Salvation Army Mount Isa Corps Officer Natalie Steele said she was happy to take part in the fundraising efforts and would ensure the donations made their way to those who need it the most.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Mount Isa residents to take part and help out our southern neighbours who need help at this devasting time,” she said.

“I encourage people to come along to this fun community event and support those impacted by the bushfires.

“Every dollar helps to get those affected back on their feet.”

The Pool Party will be held at Splashez Aquatic Centre on Sunday, January 26, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, with free entry to the facility during the event.

It will also feature free hot dogs, games, prizes and great music and promises to be a perfect day out for the entire family. The Splashez Café will also be open and serving delicious hot food, sandwiches and wraps, sweets, snacks, ice creams, and hot and cold drinks.

Later that day, the Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony will be held at 5pm at the Civic Centre, with the deserving recipients of nine awards – including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Council-Nominated Spirit of Mount Isa – to be presented with their accolades, and more than 30 people set to take their oaths and become Mount Isa’s newest citizens.