Australia Day is this Friday and Mitchell Shire Council has a range of activities and events planned to entertain and celebrate members of the community.
Broadford, Seymour and Wandong will all host celebrations, while this year’s annual Mitchell Shire Community Awards and Citizenship Ceremony will be at Wallan Neighbourhood House, located at 42 Bentinck Street.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Louise Bannister said the event was a special occasion for all residents.
“Mitchell Shire’s community awards are a chance to express gratitude to those who work diligently for the betterment of our community,” she said.
“Officiating the citizenship ceremony is an honour that allows us to acknowledge the choices and achievements of those becoming new citizens.”
The day will begin at 9.30am with a Welcome to Country and flag raising by the Wallan Scouts, with the awards to begin at 10am.
Seven categories and special commendations will be presented, including Citizen of the Year; Young Citizen of the Year; Community Event of the Year; Community Group of the Year; Access and Inclusion Champion; Sports Person of the Year; and Arts and/or Culture Person of the Year.
The event will conclude with a sausage sizzle and performance by local band Tangent.
Broadford
Broadford’s all-inclusive and all-abilities celebrations will take place from 9am, featuring a display of classic cars, children’s petting farm, pony rides, face painting, reptile handling, and magic shows across both the Island Reserve and bowls club.
A flag raising ceremony by the First Broadford Scout Group will be followed by the presentation of the Broadford Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award.
The Lions Club will host a barbecue breakfast from 7am.
Seymour
Seymour’s Kings Park will this year host Australia Day celebrations for the town, beginning at 8am with a ‘big Aussie breakfast’ followed by a flag raising ceremony at 9.30am.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Seymour, the day will feature face painting, drawing and colouring activities, community displays and the Seymour Gift Foot Race for under 16s and under 10s with cash prizes to be won.
Rotary will host a barbecue lunch from 10am alongside the Seymour Community Service Awards, while entertainment will be provided by the Mitchell Shire Concert Band. Entry is a gold coin donation.
Wandong
Wandong Heathcote Junction Community Group, WHJCG, Wandong History Group, Wandong-Wallan Lions Club and Wandong Public Hall are inviting the community to Wandong’s Australia Day celebrations, beginning at 8am.
Moved to the Wandong Public Hall on Rail Street for 2024, a free hot breakfast will be provided before a flag raising ceremony at community awards at 9am.
WHJCG secretary Allen Hall said organisers were expecting a strong turnout for this year’s event.
“The council used to do awards for the different towns, but the community groups and the other groups have decided to continue it on here at Wandong,” he said.
“We usually get around 70 mostly depending on the long weekend and all that, but this year should be good.”
For a full list of council’s Australia Day events, visit bit.ly/3SoW0um.
