India Fest Townsville has taken out top honours at this year’s Queensland Day Awards, winning the title of Queensland’s Best Event—a first for a multicultural community festival in the state’s far north. The announcement was made on June 6 as part of the “All the Best” campaign celebrating Queensland’s 166th year of statehood.
The award, decided by more than 61,000 public votes across 15 categories, saw India Fest stand alongside some of Queensland’s most iconic attractions—from Coolum Beach and the Great Barrier Reef to Bird’s Fish Bar. But this time, a grassroots event created by volunteers in Townsville walked away with the top prize.
India Fest began in 2014 and has grown steadily into a major annual celebration, blending music, food, dance, and cultural traditions from India into the heart of Townsville. Over the past decade, it has attracted thousands of attendees each year and earned support from government bodies, local businesses, and multicultural groups.
“This award belongs to our volunteers, our committee, our local artists, and our entire community—especially Townsville, which has embraced this festival with open arms,” said Nick Attam, Secretary of India Fest Townsville. “To be named the best event in all of Queensland is incredibly humbling.”
Binu Jacob, President of India Fest Townsville Inc, added, “India Fest has always been a celebration of who we are and the beautiful diversity we bring to Queensland.”
The honour is notable not just for what it represents to the Indian community in Townsville, but for how it places regional multiculturalism firmly on the map. It joins a list of past nominees and winners like Brisbane’s Ekka and the Paniyiri Greek Festival—more established names in the state’s cultural calendar.
Premier David Crisafulli, who announced the winners, praised the festival for its contribution to community life. “Queensland Day is a time to honour our state and recognise the people and events that make it such a great place to live,” he said. “India Fest is a shining example—bringing people together and showing the best of Queensland’s diversity.”
India Fest’s success also tells a broader story. In an era where most multicultural events remain concentrated in urban areas, this win highlights how regional cities like Townsville are reshaping Australia’s cultural narrative. It’s a reminder that energy, pride, and public participation can come from places outside the capital cities.
While the award carries no cash prize, its symbolic value is high. For local organisers, it offers fresh momentum to grow the festival and deepen its roots in Townsville’s civic life. For the Indian-Australian community in Queensland, it provides a public moment of recognition—one shaped not by policies or politics, but by people.
India Fest Townsville’s win also lands at a time when local events are competing for attention and funding across the state. This public vote outcome offers a compelling signal to policymakers that community-led multicultural projects can thrive—and win—when given space and support.
From its first dance performance in a public park to drawing thousands to its main stage, India Fest has come a long way. But the people behind it insist the real victory lies in something quieter—the neighbourly conversations, the shared meals, the school performances, and the pride that young second-generation Australians carry into classrooms and playgrounds.
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