Brisbane will raise the flag on Australia Day, vows Premier

Premier Anna Bligh has vowed that Brisbane will hold its traditional Australia Day flag raising ceremony this year in defiance of the devastation caused by the Brisbane floods. Ms Bligh made her pledge after changes were made to the annual Australia Day celebrations because of the damage caused to the South Bank Parklands.
"We not going to let these floods ruin our national day and I am determined to have our flag raised on our nation day as a symbol of the resilience of Queenslanders," said the Premier.
"The planned South Bank celebrations will not be able to go ahead but we will be holding the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony at an alternative venue and the details for that will be released in the coming days.
"The free AusSounds Australia Day Concert will also proceed and will be relocated to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
"The concert will provide an opportunity for the community to come together after the terrible test we have been through.
"Communities around Queensland are also planning to host more than 130 regional Australia Day events, many of them raising funds for flood affected families and businesses.
"It is important that we keep our spirits up in the aftermath of these floods and we will recognise Australia day with as much passion and pride as we always have."
The Premier added that she wanted to encourage Australians to hold backyard barbeques and collect money for the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.
"What could be more Australian than having a barbeque and doing your bit to help less fortunate people in your State?" said Ms Bligh.
The AusSounds Australia Day Concert will feature local bands Charlie Mayfair and Ball Park Music and Australia's first Idol and multi-platinum artist Guy Sebastian.
Tickets are free but bookings are essential. Bookings can be made at http://www.ticketek.com.au/.
There will also be an opportunity to donate to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal at the event.
The annual Australia Day Lunch will proceed as planned at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday Jan 25 featuring Richie Benaud, David Fordham and Troy Cassar-Daley.
The Australia Day Ambassadors Program, proudly sponsored by Woolworths, will also proceed with ambassadors travelling to various locations across Queensland.
Communities around Queensland are also still planning to host more than 130 regional Australia Day events, many of them raising funds for flood affected families and businesses.
Visit australiaday.org.au/whatson/qld  or facebook.com/australiadayqueensland  for more information about changes to Australia Day events inQueensland.
Australia Day activities in Queensland are proudly supported by the Queensland Government and assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.