Whether you’re ready to crank up the backyard barbie, hit the beach, park or pub, there’s a tonne of Australia Day action to be enjoyed by one and all across the region on January 26.
A series of formal and fun Australia Day activities, organised through Council, will be held in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton.
Festivities will commence at Bruce Porter Reserve, Laurieton from 7am, from 8am at Westport Park, Port Macquarie and 8.30am at Bain Park in Wauchope.
Join in the fun and excitement throughout the day all across the region as a host of bands, performers and activities entertain the crowds including the Pinnacle of Terror ride sure to be a hit with revellers in Wauchope, and Westport Park, later in the afternoon.
Handicraft and market stalls will also feature at Port Macquarie festivities.
This year Port Macquarie Hastings Council welcomes Paula Duncan as our 2012 Australia Day Ambassador and the Wauchope ceremony will be boosted with an additional ambassador, former local and Icehouse front man Iva Davies.
A highlight of the day will be the Citizenship Award Ceremonies around the region, which will see 22 local residents become Australian citizens.
Local Australia Day award recipients for 2012 will also be represented on the day.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Administrator, Neil Porter said Australia Day was a significant day and an opportunity for people in the community to unite and celebrate all things Australian.
“An estimated 6 million people will join official events like ours to mark our national day and I’d like to see as many local residents as possible coming together to celebrate what’s great about being an Australian,” Mr Porter said.
Mr Porter said the winners of the Australia Day Awards for the Port-Macquarie Hastings will be announced on the eve of our national day at a presentation at the Glasshouse, allowing awardees the opportunity to be involved in the formalities and celebrations throughout the day.
There are five categories this year including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year – male and female, and Community Group of the Year.
And in a first, to conclude celebrations on Australia Day will be the outdoor screening of the Australian classic, The Man from Snowy River at Westport Park.
For full program details for Australia Day celebrations, head to Council’s website www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/australiaday.
Nominations in a nutshell
Nominations for Young Citizen of the Year 2012:
Michael Wilkie, Thomas Fajks, Jedd Goggin, Alison Rassmussen, Bridget Allen, Samuel Batty, Sarah Doyle, Rachel Bax, Aaron Paton and Andrew Cockroft-Penman.
Community Group of the Year 2012:
Players Theatre Inc, Anglican Op Shop – Camden Haven, Premiers Volunteering Program, Kendall Community Op Shop and Hastings District Highland Piped Band.
Citizen of the Year 2012:
Jenny Cox, Brett Anderson and Garry Fajks.
Senior Citizen of the Year 2012 (female):
Yvonne Fisher and Edna Lillian Lamb.
Senior Citizen of the Year 2012 (male):
Kevin Waldron
