On 26 January, Local Governments around the nation celebrated Australia Day with festivals, entertainment and citizenship ceremonies.
New South Wales’ City of Lake Macquarie celebrated with a family day out. The festival featured entertainment by guitarist, Ian Moss, and singer/songwriter, Beccy Cole; amusement rides; and market stalls.
Lake Macquarie’s Australia Day Ambassador and renowned opera singer, Donald Shanks, gave the Australia Day Address during an official ceremony.
Council’s Cultural and Events Coordinator, Nicole Charlesworth, said the City was proud to welcome an ambassador with such an amazing list of achievements.
“Donald has enjoyed a long career in Australian opera and has performed for the Paris and Canadian operas,” she said. “He first performed with Opera Australia in 1964 and is a renowned bass singer having performed more than 80 roles.”
Donald is the recipient of several awards. In 1976, he received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire and in 1987 was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.
In Queensland, Rockhampton City Council opted to take advantage of the cool of the evening with a twilight concert at its Riverside Park on the Fitzroy River. Thousands of people joined the celebrations, that included a free sausage sizzle, live entertainment by the Capricornia Silver Band and the Bush Mill Band and fireworks. The City’s achievers were honoured with Australia Day Awards, and new Australians were welcomed with a citizenship ceremony.
“The Riverside Park is a great place to celebrate Australia Day as it provides a comfortable venue for the public to gather, in the cool of the evening, to celebrate all that it means to be Australian,” said Mayor of Rockhampton, Councillor Margaret Strelow.
Also in Queensland, hundreds of people put on their running shoes to join the Australia Day action in the AMCAL Australia Day Fun Run at Thuringowa.
Mayor of Thuringowa, Les Tyrell, said $1200 prize money was up for grabs in the five kilometre run or walk.
“The inaugural AMCAL Australia Day Fun Run was for serious runners and teams or individuals who just wanted to have a bit of fun,” Councillor Tyrell said. “There was $300 prize money for both the first male and female over the line plus $200 for the first junior, the best fancy dressed individual and best novelty team.”
Entry was by gold coin donation with all proceeds raised going to the Heart Foundation. Mildura Rural City Council in Victoria held an Australia Day Breakfast, incorporating a flag raising ceremony, citizenship ceremonies, Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards, and children’s activities.
Fifteen year old local performer, Taylor-Paige Wilkie, also performed ‘I am Australian’. Crowds were also entertained by the Mildura District Brass Band and the Bushfire band.
