2026 Burdekin Water Festival Community Launch Draws Strong Turnout
By Chelsea Ravizza Celebrations for the 2026 Burdekin Water Festival (BWF) officially commenced on Friday, 19th June, as community members gathered to launch one of Queensland’s longest running and most cherished festivals. The Burdekin Water Festival was born from the vision of local resident Bob Saxby, who, after attending Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers in 1957, recognised an opportunity to create a signature event for the Burdekin. Working alongside then Shire Chairman E.W. Ford and the wider community, Saxby helped bring the first Ayr Water Festival to life in 1958. Nearly 70 years later, that vision continues to flourish, with the Burdekin Water Festival remaining a proud celebration of the people, organisations and industries that shape the region, while bringing the community together through a vibrant calendar of events and traditions. Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the Festival’s longevity can largely be attributed to the community’s strong sense of pride and the opportunity it provides to celebrate everything that makes the Burdekin unique and special. “The Burdekin Water Festival has always been something people feel genuinely connected to – it’s not just an event, it’s a tradition that families have grown up with and continue to be part of year after year,” she said. “It brings people together, celebrates who we are as a community, and keeps that strong local spirit alive across generations.” On Friday evening, 140 people gathered at the Burdekin Theatre Forecourt as this year’s Junior and Senior Ambassadors were officially welcomed into the 2026 Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador Program. While steeped in tradition, the 2026 Burdekin Water Festival has also made history, with two male Senior Ambassadors entering the program for the first time since its establishment in 1958, marking the first occasion male representatives have participated in the Senior Ambassador category. This year’s program has also welcomed several first-time supporting organisations, including BT Farms, Burdekin Motors, Feed Me Food, the Lower Burdekin Celtic Dancing Association and the Ayr Motorcycle Club. In another Festival first, the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre and CORES Queensland have joined forces to support a single Ambassador entrant. Burdekin Water Festival Life Member Robyn Hewson presented each representative with their sash, marking the start of their BWF journey and their role in one of the region’s most enduring traditions. Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador Coordinator Kari Ravizza said she is eager to see this year’s Junior and Senior Ambassadors flourish throughout the program, having already been impressed by the confidence and poise each representative displayed during their introductory speeches. “Even in the short time since joining the program, I’ve already seen tremendous growth from this year’s entrants,” she said. “For generations, the Ambassador Program has helped connect young people with their community while ensuring local organisations remain actively involved in the Burdekin Water Festival. It continues to evolve, but its purpose remains the same – bringing people together, celebrating community pride, and investing in the next generation of Burdekin leaders.” As the evening unfolded, the 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Senior and Junior winners and runners-up shared reflections on the cherished Ambassador Program, speaking about its impact on their personal development and offering words of encouragement to this year’s incoming cohort. Mayor Dalle Cort said the Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador Program provides young people with valuable opportunities to develop confidence, leadership skills and stronger community connections, while encouraging them to become active contributors to the region’s future. “Investing in our young people is investing in the future of the Burdekin,” she said. “Programs like the Ambassador Program provide valuable opportunities for participants to develop confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community connection.” Fourteen-year-old Ayr High School student Mason Lando opened the musical entertainment with performances of Sign of the Times by Harry Styles and Man of the North by Liam St John. He was followed by 15-year-old Burdekin Christian College student Gabriel Hatherell, who has performed in local productions and competitions, as well as at the Townsville Folk Festival alongside Lando, delivering Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan and Remembering Sunday by All Time Low. As attendees enjoyed live entertainment, food and community spirit beneath the evening sky, the festivities turned to one of the Festival’s most beloved traditions — the Fashion Parade. Once a staple of Water Festivals gone by, the event had been absent from the Burdekin Water Festival since at least the 1990s before being revived to great acclaim in 2024. Mrs Ravizza said the Fashion Parade highlights one of the Ambassador Program’s greatest strengths: its ability to foster friendships, confidence and a strong sense of community among participants. “What stood out most to me at the Burdekin Water Festival Community Launch was the way they [Junior and Senior Ambassadors] supported and encouraged one another,” she said. “The Senior Ambassadors naturally took the Juniors under their wing, and you could see friendships forming and confidence growing throughout the Fashion Parade and the evening. By the end of the night, they weren’t just individual entrants representing different organisations – they were a team, and I think that’s something special.” With preparations for upcoming Burdekin Water Festival events already well underway, Mayor Dalle Cort said the Community Launch was a fantastic showcase of community spirit, noting it was wonderful to see such strong attendance and genuine enthusiasm from residents, families and supporters. She said events like this highlight the importance of the BWF to the community and congratulated the 2026 Ambassador cohort. “I would like to congratulate all of this year’s Junior and Senior Ambassadors,” she enthused. “This is a wonderful opportunity to represent your organisation or business, build lifelong skills and create lasting memories. I encourage you to embrace the experience, support one another and take pride in being part of such a respected and longstanding Burdekin tradition.” A full list of upcoming events is available in the Burdekin Life Event Guide and via the BWF social media pages and website, burdekinwaterfestival.com.au.
