THERE is a lot to do and see at the 2026 Broadford Australia Day Festival to reflect, respect and celebrate our wonderful country as we navigate the bushfires disaster together.
The Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell is organising a fun-filled day for families with support from the Community Bank Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford and National Australia Day Council.
The festival is an opportunity to hail the heroes as local CFA and SES emergency services volunteers will share tips to prepare for natural disasters.
A free Lions barbecue brekkie will be served from 7am to 9.30am, and there will be a donation tin available. Lions of Broadford secretary Ian Mumford said: “This year we hope to donate that money to the CFA”.
MYSTERY: Did you know a 1962 Moomba Queen finalist reigned from Broadford? All will be revealed at the Broadford Historical Precinct as part of the Australia Day Festival.
The Broadford and District Historical Society will open its historical precinct at 10am and also highlight entertaining local events held in Broadford over the years.
Secretary Margrette Inness said: “We are featuring a digital loop of a past Hells Angles concert wedding. We put this on Facebook during history month [October] and we got 14K views [that month] … apparently, they are not together now”.
For children, there will be free pony rides between 9am and 3pm and a petting farm. There will be henna hand painting and cartoon portraits, and free family fun with roving magic and clowning shows. Local cover band Den-Yt will play music from the 50s to now.
There will be tug-o-war and teams or individuals can enter on the day. The activity starts at 12.30pm and all competitors will receive a free ice cream.
There will be food trucks and the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell will have icy cold alcoholic beverages for sale.
Glenaroua Land Management Group will have an information marquee at the entry to the island. It will be selling hot pies and cold drinks to raise funds.
Treasurer Steve Koch said: “We are actively working with BlazeAid Inc and actively supporting communities in the Highlands, Ruffy and the like to assist with bushfire recovery.”
The Australia Day Broadford Festival is on Monday, January 26, from 7am to 3pm at the Island Reserve, High Street, Broadford.
Citizens ceremony will be held at Seymour this Australia Day
By Milla Webster
The Australia Day celebrations will take place in Seymour on Monday, January 26, from 8am to 1pm at Kings Park Reserve on Tallarook Street. The event is hosted by Mitchell Shire Council in partnership with the Rotary Club of Seymour and is open to the whole community.
The official program will begin at 9.30am with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by an address from the Australia Day Ambassador at 9.45am. Police Awards recognising outstanding contributions by local law enforcement will be presented at 10am.
At 10.15am, Mitchell Shire Council Mayor John Dougall will deliver the mayoral address, reflecting on the achievements of residents over the past year.
The Mitchell Shire Community Awards ceremony will commence at 10.30am, and the formal proceedings will conclude with an Australian citizenship ceremony welcoming new citizens to the community.
Throughout the event, attendees can enjoy a range of free, family-friendly entertainment and activities. Live music will be provided by the Mitchell Shire Concert Band, creating a festive atmosphere, while the Seymour and District Car Club will showcase a display of vehicles.
Children will be able to take part in face painting, drawing and colouring activities, and sporting fun will include AFL handball along with traditional Australian games such as thong throwing and mintie tearing. Community displays and food stalls will also be set up, giving visitors a chance to connect with local groups and enjoy refreshments.
Food will be available throughout the morning, with an Australia Day brekkie served from 8am to 10am for a gold coin donation. From 10am to 12.30pm, the Rotary Club will run a barbecue offering hot food, and Country Market food stalls will operate for the duration of the event.
The Mitchell Shire Australia Day Community Awards recognise outstanding members of the community across seven categories: 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 Person of the Year.
Nominations are made prior to the event, with winners announced during the ceremony. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good spot and fully enjoy the celebrations, awards and entertainment.
