2020 Australia Day and Bushfire Relief Events
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Australia Day is celebrated each year on January 26th. This year, it will feel quite different.
We have seen the images and heard the stories coming out of Australia with regards to the fires that have raged on for the past several months. The toll it has taken – dozens of human lives, many homes, at least a billion animals, and what is sure to be a long lasting effect on the environment – has been stunningly tragic.
It has left us, as a community, asking what we can do to help.
As USAFL clubs across the country celebrate and honor Australia, the country which has given us the game that we love, many are engaging in fundraising efforts to assist in the relief effort. Portions of commemorations occurring across Australia Day weekend in the USA be donated to the Australian Red Cross and other organizations.
What follows down the page is a listing of Australia Day and Bushfire relief events, as well as links to events and other fundraising efforts by our number clubs. Several clubs, including the Nashville Kangaroos, New York Magpies, and Seattle Grizzlies held fundraisers last week, and we will be adding pictures from those events in the coming days.
For those who are unable to physically make it out to any of the USAFL-hosted events, there are other ways you can contribute to help in this time of need. In addition to charities and organizations as chosen by the individual clubs, also consider:
- Friends of Footy Fire Relief – a miles-for-dollars initiative headed by several USAFL players from across the country.
- Find A Bed – a volunteer-run resource for those who require shelter for themselves (and pets), as well as those who are able to provide it.
- Dan Milbourne / The Bunyip Collective is doing a limited run Australia Day shirt with a portion of the proceeds going to the Fire Relief Effort
- The Australian Red Cross
A reminder to please check with the host of the party you’re attending to confirm that there are no are restrictions on the venue. Also, complete info for each event is listed on the team’s event page, so be sure to visit to get all of the details!
Listed updated 1/23/20
Austin, Texas - Austin Crows
The Crows are running their own fundraiser for Bushfire relief. They started out with a goal of $3,670, ten dollars for each of the goals they kicked in 2019. Having surpassed that mark, they are eyeing $10,000.
Sun, Jan 26 from 12pm-6pm CST
Stereotype -- 510 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78701
The Austin Crows will be holding a raffle, as well as selling meat pies and hosting a handball competition! A percentage of drink sales on the day will go towards supporting Australian bushfire relief efforts. Event is 21+.
Boston, Massachusetts - Boston Demons
Sat, Jan 25 from 3pm to 8pm EDT
Tony C's Seaport -- 250 Northern Ave, Boston MA 02210
Event Page
Australia Day is here!! Get down to Tony C's with the Boston Demons Aussie Rules Footy Club to celebrate and party!
We will have raffles and an auction to support the Australian Bushfire Appeal. You could win your height in Coopers Beer. Wear your Green and Gold and sink some beers and pies with Aussies and non-Aussies alike.
Baltimore, Maryland - Baltimore Dockers
Sat. Jan 25 at 6pm EST
MaGerk's Pub -- 1061 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21230
Event Page
It's that time of year to celebrate Australia Day with the Baltimore Dockers Australian Rules Football Club at the clubs new sponsor bar, MaGerk's Pub!
Chicago, Illinois - Chicago Swans
Fri. Jan 24 at 8pm CST
Brickhouse Tavern Chi -- 3647 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60613
Event Page
The Chicago Swans are excited to host the biggest Australia Day party in the US! Date: Friday Jan 24th Time: 8pm Location: Brickhouse Tavern Tickets: $10* available at Chicagofooty.com *$5 from every ticket purchased will go towards Australia Bushfire Relief Come hang with 400 of your closest mates as we celebrate Australia Day with Coopers beer, Darrell Lea, Australia themed photo booth and an absolute ripper of a raffle!
Cincinnati, Ohio - Cincinnati Dockers
Sun. Jan 26 at 2pm EST
Queen City Radio -- 222 W 12th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Event Page
A fundraiser for Australia! The bushfires in Australia have displaced thousands of people and killed millions of animals. So, we're holding a fundraiser on Australia Day in an effort to help this amazing country. Every little bit helps!! We'll have a food by Chicken Mac Truck, Live Music, a Silent Auction, Drink Specials, and a Raffle. We're accepting donations at the bar of cash or card; or Simply follow the link below. Did we mention, EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS?!
Columbus, Ohio - Columbus Cats
Sat. Jan 25 at 2pm EST
Woodlands Backyard -- 668 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Event Page
We will be holding our Australia Day get-together at Woodlands Backyard on the afternoon AND evening of Saturday, January 25. There will be initiatives to help donate and raise awareness for the Australian brushfire relief efforts (details to follow).
Dallas, Texas - Dallas Dingoes
Sat. Jan 25 at 2pm CST
1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215
Event Page
Come celebrate Australia Day with your favorite Dallas #footy club and help us raise funds for the people affected by the recent bush fires. Bring all your friends to cuddle a live kangaroo!!
Denver, Colorado - Denver Bulldogs
Sat. Jan 25 at 1pm MST
Casey's Bistro & Pub Stapleton -- 7301 E 29th Ave, Denver, CO 80238
Event Page
It's January, it's 2020 and our annual AusDenver Australia Day celebration is right around the corner! Kindly hosted by fellow Aussie Robbie Dawe at his *Casey's Bistro & Pub* in Stapleton. We take over the whole pub and turn it into an Aussie Pub for the day. Wear your best (or worst) Aussie get-up. Come ready to party and have fun. *Everyone is welcome!* Saturday January 25th:
Houston, Texas - Houston Lonestars
Sun. Jan 26 at 11am-3pm CST
Bear Creek Park, Pavillion 6, Bear Creek Drive, Houston TX 77084, US
The Lonestars will be partnering with the AACC for the 12th Annual Australia Day Family BBQ. Cricket, Netball, Footy, Rugby, Aussie Music and more! Fun for the whole family. All tickets include food and drinks - BBQ with Aussie lamb, sausages, pies, lamingtons, salads and more. Drinks include Platypus beer on tap and Aussie wine. Plenty of fun activities for the kids and adults too! United Airlines Ticket Raffle with 4 amazing travel prizes will be drawn at the BBQ - 50% of Raffle proceeds will go to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Relief.
Irvine, California - Orange County Bombers
Sat. Jan 25 at 2pm EST
The Anchor Bar - 2675 Irvine Ave, Ste D, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Event Page
Happy Australia Day! Come out Saturday, January 25th (26th in Australia) and support the Australian Fire Relief! $10 donation gets access to $500 club bar tab, first come first served. 100% of all donations and merch sales will be passed onto the Australian Red Cross.
Las Vegas, Nevada - Las Vegas Gamblers
Sat. Jan 25 at 11am PST
Bill Briare Family Park - 650 N. Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, NV 89128
Event Page
Come join the Las Vegas Gamblers Australian Football Club to celebrate Australia Day (26th January in Australia) the only way us Aussie know how. Snags on the BBQ (sausage sizzle) and some cold ones (beers).
Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles Dragons
Sat. Jan 25 at 4pm PST
Gramercy Santa Monica -- 2460 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Event Page
The Dragons are crushed to see the destruction the bushfires have caused across Australia, and we invite you to help us support the relief effort at our fundraiser Saturday, January 25th at Gramercy Santa Monica. We will be accepting donations, selling raffle tickets, and all proceeds from food and drink will go towards the bushfire fund.
Minneapolis, Minnesota - Minnesota Freeze
Fri. Feb 7 at 12pm CST
Mound Lake -- Grey Eagle, MN 56318
Event Page
Join the Minnesota Freeze in celebration of Australia Day on the ice for a weekend of fishing, broom ball, and possibly cricket on the ice. A cabin has been rented to accommodate up to 14 people. Contact Brent Mergen if you are interested in staying in the cabin. Day trippers are also welcome.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Philadelphia Hawks
Sat. Jan 25 at 12pm EST
Cavanaugh's Headhouse -- 421 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Event Page
Some things are bigger than footy. This year, with the tragic fires down under, we feel it is much more important to focus on raising funds to help Australia recover. So many in the Australian Rules Football community have felt the impact of these fires, and they show no signs of abating. So let's put the FUN in fundraising! For 2020, we will be hosting the party with all donations collected at the door - $20 suggested, but more is welcome and any little bit helps – going to the Australian Red Cross. In addition, we will be donating $5 of every Hawks Social Membership sold during the year (10% of the $50 price) to the Australian Red Cross as well.
Portland, Maine - Maine Cats
Sat. Jan 25 at 1pm EST
Bunker Brewing Co -- 17 Westfield St Unit D, Portland, ME 04102
Event Page
The Maine Cats and Bunker Brewing Co. will be teaming up to host a Bush Fire Relief Fundraiser on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Our lads will be raising money to help provide some relief for the wildlife that has been devastated by the bush fires currently plaguing Australia. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation https://www.wires.org.au/. Please join us and show some support for your local footy club and for Australia.
Portland, Oregon - Portland AFC
Sat. Jan 25 at 2pm PST
Donnie Vegas, 1203 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
Event Page
The Portland Australian Football Club (PAFC) is hosting a fundraiser in support of efforts to fight the Aussie bushfires, preserve wildlife, and facilitate community recovery. Come out to Donnie Vegas on Alberta on January 25th for a raffle, drinks, and a good time supporting the relief efforts!
Raleigh, North Carolina - North Carolina Tigers
Thu. Jan 16 at 11pm-close EST
Hibernian Pub -- 311 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC
Event Page
Please join us at the Hibernian on Thursday to support those affected by the devastating wildfires in Australia. We hope to see you there!
Sacramento, California - Sacramento Suns
Sat. Jan 25 at Bottomless Mimosas Brunch 9-10am PST, AusDay Party from 11am PST
Costanza's -- 2107 L St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Mimosa Event Page
Aus Day Event Page
Join the Suns' for an Australia Day celebration. Expect some fun give aways and general Aussie cheer! **UPDATE** Constanza's will be donating a portion of the event proceeds to the Australian Bushfire Relief Efforts. Bring your mates and join us for some frothies!
San Diego, California - San Diego Lions
Sat. Jan 25 at 11am PST
Liberty Station NTC Park -- 2455 Cushing Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
Event Page
Are you ready for Australia Day 2020? Well, we’ve got it all sorted out for you. The San Diego Lions and the Australian Military Contingent will be hosting a potluck picnic that is open to all and family friendly. The Australian Military will be providing food and drinks for the day – please RSVP via this eventbrite link to let us know how much to buy!
San Francisco, California - Golden Gate AFL
Sun. Jan 26 at 3pm PST
Standard Deviant Brewing -- 280 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Event Page
**EDIT: We will hosting a RAFFLE where ALL proceeds go to the bush fires. We will be selling raffle tickets from 1pm-4pm and announce the winner at 4:30pm. We will also take donations all day for the fires.** **EDIT: event time changed to 1pm so we can celebrate all day!** Grab your mates and come on down to Standard Deviant to celebrate Australia Day! Come have some Australian treats, drink some delicious beer, play some fun games, all while listening to the Triple J Hottest 100. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Golden Gate Australian Rules Football players who will be going to Australia next summer to play in the International Cup!
Seattle, Washington - Seattle Grizzlies
Sat. Jan 25 Kids Clinic at 10am PST, AusDay Match at11am PST
Hiawatha Park -- 2700 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Kid's Clinic Event Page
Match Event Page
Join your local Aussie Rules footy club the Seattle Grizzlies for our Australia Day Celebrations! After the free kids clinic at 10am, there will be FREE beginners clinic at 11am. All welcome! At noon our annual Australia vs America exhibition match will be a cracker to watch! Come and join in or watch the spectacle unfold!
Tampa, Florida - Tampa Bay Tiger Sharks
Sun. Jan 26 at Noon EST
To Be Confirmed
Event Page
The Tampa Bay Tiger Sharks will be celebrating Oz Day on Sunday, January 26th with a footy game in downtown Tampa at noon (venue details will be posted at tbfooty.com), followed by an Australia Day festival at the Walkabout Café from 2pm - 6pm (18430 Livingston Ave, Lutz, Florida 33559). We will have giveaways for fans young and old, skills competitions and plenty of Sharks merchandise available. There will be Australian music, and plenty of great Aussie tucker (pies, sausage rolls, lamingtons, pavalova). We will also be collecting Bushfire relief donations at this event for the Australian Red Cross and World Wildlife Fund Australia, to help with the support and rebuilding of local communities and habitats, and the for the rehabilitation of injured Australia wildlife.
Tulsa, Oklahoma - Oklahoma FC Okies
Sun. Jan 26 at Noon CST
Fassler Hall - 304 S Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK
Event Page
Join us for end of the year/beginning of the year get together and team fundraiser. This is an annual fundraiser for the team but in light of the fires in Australia and the real world impact it is having on some of our former players we are donating 50% of funds raised to the fire fighting effort.
Washington, DC - DC Eagles
Fri. Jan 24 at 6pm EST
Crystal City Sports Pub -- 529 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22202
Event Page
AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE RELIEF FUNDRAISER Friday, 24 January, join the DC Eagles Australian Rules Football Club in supporting Australia and raising much need relief funds. 100% of all proceeds will be donated to help support the Australian Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
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