January 26 is an important day in Australia. It marks the arrival of British sovereignty in 1778 at Sydney Cove, New South Wales. Or New Holland, as it was then.
A lot happens on Australia Day. Over one quarter of the population gets involved in some celebration or other. There are ‘barbies’, concerts, music festivals, firework displays, marches, fetes, very multi-cultural social functions and sporting contests like the Sydney Tall Ships Race.
As well as national citizenship ceremonies in which Australians, young and old , swear and reaffirm their allegiance to the country.
It’s the greatest gathering of thoroughbred cockroaches in the world
The Order of Australia is bestowed on deserving, high-achieving individuals and the Australian of the Year is announced.
This includes Senior Australian of the Year and Young Australian categories, recognising inspirational role models and significant contributions to the nation. Local heroes are also honoured on Anniversary or Foundation Day and others who have made their mark.
So far, one well-known citizen whose family spreads right across the continent has been overlooked. Everywhere, that is, but in Brisbane, Queensland.
They are under starters’ orders for the Stony Bridge Gold Cup in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, Queensland. The runners are chapping at their mandibles, twitching their antennae and flexing their six legs for the big day on January 26. The cup is the highlight of the pest-racing season in Australia. The Gold is the Melbourne Cup of cockroach racing.
The three-storey Story Bridge has been hosting the prestigious sporting event since 1982. The winner will be inducted into the Elite Cocky Hall of Fame along with other famous racing roaches like Sir Roachalot, Lord of the Drains, Guns ’n’ Roaches, Cocky Dundee and Not A Problem.
There will be 14 races on the card, including the Carlton Midi Maiden, Coka Cola Crawl and the VB Grand National Steeplechase, in which the entrants must negotiate a garden hose. The big race, which starts at 3pm, expects to see 7,000 etymology fans.
Cane toad racing is big in Queensland, as is lizard racing, which every August stages its Derby in Eulo. But Story Bridge is the big one.
Brisbane, Australia’s third largest city, offers plenty of local attractions and accommodation options – like the 348-metre beachside Q1 skyscraper on the Gold Coast at Surfers’ Paradise, the tallest building in Australia and second tallest freestanding structure in the world.
Named after Australia’s Olympic rowing team in the 1920s, from its Skypoint Observation Deck you can see Brisbane, the Hinterland, Byron Bay and, of course, a small part of the Pacific. The lift travels the 77 floors in 43 seconds. So prepare for a nosebleed. Or worse.
More local and grounded landmarks include the convict-built Old Windmill in Wickham Park, Anzac Square, Queen Street, a famous zoo, the world’s first Koala sanctuary, Lone Pine, a national park in a suburb, Mount Coo-ha, a university and the Gabba Cricket Ground.
But it is the only place in the country with a cockroach race track that can accommodate 7,000 spectators and punters.
Landlord Richard Deery is the chief steward. “The official rules are approved by SOCOG, the Society of Cockroach Only Gaming. Flying will not be tolerated. You can bring your own roach or buy one over the bar. It’s the greatest gathering of thoroughbred cockroaches in the world,” he says.
The Olde Canvasse course is a four-metre ring. The roaches are let out from a bucket in middle of ring and the winner is the first to reach the rim.
“On your marks. Get Set. Scuttle!”, says starter Danny Maloney.
“They are speedy things and can do three miles an hour, which is the human equivalent of 200mph.”
The Biology Department of Loyola University, Maryland, holds similar races and Purdue, Lafayette, Indiana, has a Bug Bowl. There is also Cockroach Museum, recently moved to Phoenix, Arizona. But Australia is pest racing’s spiritual home.
Race-goers believe cockroaches have been around longer than kangaroos and koalas and should be a national mascot.
It is a very significant day for all Australians. It is so significant that some Australians call it Invasion Day.