Junior Ambassadors Unite For First-Ever Burdekin Water Festival Fun Fair

2026 Burdekin Water Festival Junior Ambassadors (back) Judah Donald (Burdekin Christian College), Lillea Levitt (Burdekin Netball Association), Amara Boccalatte (BT Farms), Jaxsyn Pearce (Ayr State School), (front), Edith Innes (East Ayr State School), Ashlyn Pearce (Lower Burdekin Celtic Dancing Association), Mia Bojack (Burdekin Christian College), Evie Totorica (Ayr Motorcycle Club), Amity Baxter (The Burdekin Academy), Amity Power (Campbell’s Jewellery), and Aria Fiamingo (St Francis Catholic School). Photo credit: Shay Kratzmann Photography 

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By Chelsea Ravizza

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In another exciting instalment in the 2026 Burdekin Water Festival (BWF), this month will see the Junior Ambassadors join forces for the first time in BWF history to create one colourful afternoon of community fun, fundraising and friendly competition!

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The inaugural Junior Ambassador Fun Fair will be held on Saturday 15th August, from 3pm at Silver Screens and Coffee Beans, bringing together all 11 Junior Ambassadors to host a collaborative fundraising event in support of their chosen schools, community organisations and charities.

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Unlike previous years, where each Junior Ambassador organised an individual fundraising event, this year's ambassadors have combined their efforts to create one family-friendly celebration packed with games, treats, crafts and entertainment.

Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador Coordinator, Kari says every Junior Ambassador has designed a unique stall, ensuring there’s something to entertain children and adults alike.

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“It's [Junior Ambassador Fun Fair] a great excuse to get the family together, have some fun and support some amazing young people,” Kari said.

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“Every activity has been planned and run by one of our Junior Ambassadors. They've put so much work into it, and it's exciting to finally see all of their ideas come to life.”

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Entry to the cash only Fun Fair is free, with individual activities individually priced to help each ambassador raise funds for their nominated organisation or charity. Visitors can also enjoy mini golf for $5 before settling in for a classic drive-in movie for $12.  

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Families can test their skills with magnetic fishing, Highland Games challenges, paper plane competitions and a gymnastics tumble track, get creative decorating dot cakes, flower pots and hair clips, browse 3D-printed toys and sensory fidgets, enjoy a slime station, photo booth, lucky dips and chocolate toss, or cool off with raspberry slushies, snow cones, fairy floss, popcorn and other sweet treats.

“Preparations are still well underway. It takes a lot of organising to bring a community event like this together, but it's all coming together really well and the ambassadors, their supporting organisations and our committee have all been working hard behind the scenes to make it a great afternoon for everyone," Kari said.

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"We'd love to see people make an afternoon and evening of it while supporting our Junior Ambassadors and the Burdekin Water Festival."

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The Fun Fair also provides the community with an opportunity to meet this year's Junior Ambassadors while supporting the schools, sporting clubs and community organisations they proudly represent, including The Burdekin Academy, Campbell's Jewellery, St Francis Catholic School, Lower Burdekin Celtic Dancing Association, East Ayr State School, Ayr Motorcycle Club, Ayr State School, Burdekin Christian College, Burdekin Netball Association and BT Farms.

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Kari said bringing the ambassadors together for one collaborative event has created an exciting new fundraising opportunity while encouraging teamwork, friendship and community spirit among this year's cohort.

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"With such a large number of Junior Ambassadors this year, it made sense to bring everyone together for one exciting community event," Kari said.

"Bringing everyone together has also created a wonderful sense of teamwork. Instead of competing for crowds, the ambassadors are supporting and encouraging one another while representing their schools, organisations and charities. It's a great example of what the Ambassador Program is all about – building confidence, leadership and community spirit."

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Kari hopes the afternoon will celebrate not only the creativity and enthusiasm of the ambassadors but also the generosity of the local community, with every activity helping support worthy local causes.

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"I'm really looking forward to seeing the ambassadors cheering each other on. They've built some great friendships throughout the program, and it's been wonderful to watch their confidence and skills grow," Kari said.

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"I'd love to see a big crowd come along because they've all worked so hard to make their activities a success, and they deserve to see the community get behind them. If people come along, have a laugh, enjoy the activities, stay for the movie and head home with a smile, we'll know we've achieved exactly what we set out to do."

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With affordable activities, delicious treats, community spirit and a nostalgic drive-in movie rounding out the afternoon, the inaugural Junior Ambassador Fun Fair is shaping up to be one of the highlights of this year's Burdekin Water Festival.Additional details are available via the Burdekin Water Festival’s social media pages and website, burdekinwaterfestival.com.au.

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What: Junior Ambassador Fun Fair

When: Saturday 15th August, 3pm

Where: Silver Screens and Coffee Beans, Ayr

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