Townsville shines during huge weekend of events
Date published: 8 August 2023
Tens of thousands of people have filled the streets and stadiums of Townsville for an action-packed weekend of events.
The events capital of Northern Australia was home to activations like the Talisman Sabre Community Day, Cowboys v Broncos NRL and NRLW derbies, Ephemera Seaside Sculptures, Afrekete Afro-Cuban Festival the Australian Festival of Chamber Music and the Townsville Running Festival.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the city came to life with residents and visitors filling the city with excitement during the weekend.
“This has undoubtedly been one of the biggest weekends for Townsville with a huge line up of major events and tens of thousands of revellers packing out our city,” Cr Hill said.
“Our Council team members must be congratulated for the effort they put in to get the city looking great.
“This weekend not only met our expectations, but far exceeded it, with top-tier sports, arts and cultural events taking over our city.
“Ephemera: Seaside Sculptures was extremely well attended, Queensland Country Bank Stadium had a full house at the Queensland derby doubleheader, and Townsville’s foreshore was packed with participants in the Townsville Running Festival.”
Townsville Enterprise Director of Visitor Economy and Marketing, Lisa Woolfe said whilst we didn’t get the result we wanted on the scoreboard from the NRLW and NRL Derby games, Townsville North Queensland was still a winner this weekend.
"Events are not only a huge drawcard for visitors to the region, but they enhance the liveability for its residents," Mrs Woolfe said.
"It's our regions diversity that was on show this weekend - from the internationally renowned Australian Festival of Chamber Music to the Talisman Sabre Community Day and the Townsville Running Festival - visitors and residents were not short on things to do."
Cr Hill said the Exercise Talisman Sabre Community Day along Flinders Street was a highlight for many people.
“Townsville is a proud garrison city, and it was special to see so many people come along to the Talisman Sabre Community Day and interact with our serving men and women,” Cr Hill said.
“This was a special chance for residents to learn more about what it means to be the home to Australia’s largest barracks and to live and work in North Queensland during such a significant military exercise.
“It’s important that we came together as a city to not only reflect on Exercise Talisman Sabre, but to pay our respects to the four servicemen who were tragically lost in the helicopter tragedy at the Whitsundays last month. Our thoughts remain with their families and loved ones.”
