Longreach, Ilfracombe, Isisford and Yaraka Special Holidays Gazetted for 2021

Following widespread consultation last year, the Longreach region’s special holidays for 2021 have been approved and gazetted by the office of industrial relations.

The results of a public poll determined the dates for each of the region’s four localities of Longreach, Ilfracombe, Isisford and Yaraka. Special holidays associated with an agricultural, horticultural, or industrial show are observed as full public holidays, where all other dates are observed as special “Bank” holidays.

Longreach residents voted for 14 May 2021 – associated with the Longreach Show – so this will be the Public holiday for businesses and employees working in the Longreach locality. Residents in Ilfracombe, Isisford, and Yaraka all voted for 8 September 2021 – associated with the Westech Field Day in Barcaldine – so this will be a public holiday for businesses and employees working in those localities. Both holidays will be observed as full public holidays. 

Mayor Tony Rayner said participation in the poll to set the dates was higher than ever last year.

“We got a bigger response last year than in the previous two years combined” he said. “It just goes to show that the more people engage with us directly, the better the outcomes are that we can achieve.”

The holidays may be different between Longreach and the other towns of the region, but the office of industrial relations has advised that doesn’t mean people can ‘double dip’ and take both holidays. In fact, which holiday people are entitled to will depend on their place of work, and not where they reside. For example, someone that lives in Longreach but works in Ilfracombe will observe the Westech public holiday along with the rest of their workplace.

Notification of the appointment of the 2021 special holidays was published in the Queensland Government Gazette on 4 December 2020.