CITY of Melton residents are invited to celebrate what is great about Australia with celebrations at the Willows Historical Park in Melton on Sunday, 26 January.
The annual event runs from 9.30am until noon and includes a barbecue breakfast, citizenship ceremony, the presentation of the community achievement awards and activities for the whole family.
Melton City Council mayor Bob Turner encouraged all residents to join in the festivities.
“Taking part in this community celebration allows us to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful country as Australia,” Cr Turner said.
“There will be a flag-raising ceremony, activities for children, a sausage sizzle, music and fun, all set in the beautiful surrounds of Willows Historical Park.”
The Australia Day ceremony starts at 10.15am and includes a presentation from this year’s City of Melton Australia Day Ambassador, Sally Nolan.
The community achievement awards, which recognise outstanding contributions made to the City of Melton community, will be announced at 10.40am.
Then the city’s newest citizens will be sworn in during a citizenship ceremony from 11.10am.
“Australia Day will see around 180 City of Melton residents from Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, South Africa and many more countries becoming citizens, which makes it one of the biggest citizenship ceremonies in the state,” Cr Turner said.
Other activities will include henna body art, Bunnings Melton’s children’s workshop, a photobooth, traditional games such as egg and spoon races and a craft stall at Dunvagen Cottage.
