National Day of Singapore

Published on 07 August 2020

Rockhampton and Livingstone Councillors celebrate National Day of Singapore

The Mayors and Councillors from Rockhampton and Livingstone Councils have joined together today to collaboratively wish Singapore Happy Birthday for this Sunday’s National Day. They were joined by Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry who added her best wishes. 

Held every August 9th, this year marks 55 years since Singapore’s independence from Malaysia and Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow said the two Councils were proud to celebrate the occasion.

 “Both of our Councils have a long history of friendship with Singapore through the annual Exercise Wallaby and both Mayor Ireland and I are proud to stand here today with Councillors from Local Governments to mark this important occasion,” Mayor Strelow said.

 “Both Mayor Ireland and I agree that our region won’t be the same this year without the friendly faces of Singapore Armed Forces troops on the streets so wanted to do something together to let Singapore know they weren’t forgotten.

 “So over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing some of the stories of our three-decade long relationship with Singapore, the business success and those genuine moments of friendship that have come about in our community from these visits,” Mayor Strelow said.

 Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland encouraged local businesses, suppliers and community members who had dealt with the Singapore Armed Forces to share their stories with the Councils.

 “When these thousands of troops come into Central Queensland each year, it was an opportunity to foster global ties and learn from each other and we’re poorer for it for not having the exercise this year.

 “Our two Councils are united and working together to send the message loud and clear that we can’t wait for the Singapore Armed Forces to return to our region but, in the meantime, our communities here will be sharing the stories that have made our friendship so dear to us,” Mayor Ireland said.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said she is looking forward to seeing the annual Exercise Wallaby return to the area in the near future.

 “While we obviously wish we could have had Exercise Wallaby this year, the world is a very different place at the moment,” Ms Landry said.

“But even though our two communities won’t be together this year, we value their presence here in Central Queensland and I’m glad to stand here today and be able to send the message that we look forward to their return and to say Happy 55th Birthday for Sunday,” Ms Landry said.