Usually held on the Friday after school finishes for the year, we hold a Xmas Tree for the past and present children of Ballidu and surrounds. Each child up to the age of 10 (Year 5) gets a Xmas present from Santa. Those graduating in Year 6 to head to high school (age 11) get an extra special gift to help them for their next chapter at school. A small fee is paid by the parents of each child and a donation from Ballidu Progress Group is provided to make the present one to remember. Santa arrives in his big red fire truck and hands out lollies before everyone makes their way to Alpha Park to see what present they will receive. A little bag of goodies is handed out to each child, usually consisting of some glow sticks and lollies. An ice-cream is also given to the children. Families then stay on to play, chat about harvest and Xmas festivities, either bringing their own food for dinner or popping across the street to Ballidu Tavern to purchase their dinner. It’s a wonderful family night that we love providing for everyone.

The Bike It To Ballidu is an annual 35km Bike Race from Wongan Hills to Ballidu that raises money for the local Ballidu Progress Group to help ensure our tiny town continues to flourish in today’s society. With invaluable community support, assistance from surrounding towns and the involvement from the Shire, police, ambulance, local businesses, friends and families, the event has now been going strong for 23 years. With many different categories and lots of prizes to be won, the Bike It To Ballidu is always the highlight of Ballidu’s calendar.

On January 26 we celebrate Australia Day with breakfast in Alpha Park. We get together to chat about harvest, holidays and what the year will bring to everyone in town over a delicious breakfast that is cooked on our new BBQ, kindly donated by our sponsors through Bike It To Ballidu. Following our breakfast we announce the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu Australia Day recipients and the towns Christmas Light Winners.

On April 25 every year, we thank those who fought in the war and survived and died for our country. A beautiful service is held at our memorial site in Federation Street opposite Alpha Park, and wreaths are laid to remember them all. Tea and Coffee is provided in the park and we are very lucky to have a tasty cooked breakfast put on by the Ballidu Tavern. It’s amazing to see so many people turn up each year.