‘Nothing succeeds like success’ and the enthusiastic volunteers at the Maleny District Sport and Recreation Club are excitedly working behind the scenes to bring back the Maleny Aussie Day Expo, now called ‘Mobile Come and Try Day Maleny’.
Last held in 2020, right before the onset of Covid hit Australia’s borders and events like these were halted, the 2023 return will look a little different to previous years.
Returning to a concept likened to the community event in its early years, the event will follow roving events hosted by individual groups and clubs across the Range, where people can visit a variety of local community and sporting groups either at their premises, or in various locations.
Chairman of the Australia Day Expo Committee, Rick Vickers, who is a staunch supporter and volunteer of the event, shared that while it will be going ahead in a different capacity to previous years, it is a great opportunity for people to jump in the car or on their bike and come talk to local groups and experience what the community has to offer.
“There is so much variety here [in Maleny] and some of the community and sporting groups can’t wait to get involved and do something,” said Rick.
“Groups are really looking forward to this and are excited to have the event return. You can’t extinguish that community feel.”
There will be a number of regular events happening including a flag-raising and citizenship ceremony, along with a performance by the Maleny Singers, and APEX Club of Maleny will be putting on their community big breakfast.
The mobile Aussie day celebration will continue throughout the day at a number of club venues, with full list to be shared in early January.
Rick explained that Maleny TS Centaur Navy Cadets SBLT Eddie Vann came up with the original idea, which came about as an extension of the RSL’s citizenship ceremony as a way to introduce all that the community has to offer. The first event was held in 2014 and has received a great amount of support from the community and council each year.
“Our intent is to return to something like we had previously and we look forward to new members coming on board and bringing new ideas to the table,” said Rick.
“We plan on building on next year’s event and, in increments, get back to where we were.”
Come and Try Day Maleny will be held on Thursday, January 26 with a number of eager groups already busy making plans for the event. Any groups keen to get involved should email malenysportspark@gmail.com.
