Something for everyone to celebrate on Australia Day
Published on 18 January 2016
Local residents are being encouraged to celebrate life in our region this Australia Day by attending one of the many celebrations throughout the municipality.
Mildura Rural City Council’s official Australia Day event will include a traditional breakfast, live entertainment, free children’s activities, awards and Australian Citizenship ceremony. To be held from 8am at the Nowingi Place on Mildura’s riverfront on Tuesday 26 January 2016, it is sure to be fun family day out on Australia Day.
Mildura Rural City Council Mayor Glenn Milne says the national celebration is a great chance to show pride not only in Australia, but also in our local community.
“We have so much to be thankful for and Australia Day is a terrific opportunity to reflect on some of those things that make living in this part of the world so wonderful,” Cr Milne said.
Official proceedings at the event will include the announcement of Council’s 2016 Australia Day Awards. Categories for the Australia Day Awards include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event/Project of the Year.
“These awards recognise people who have made an outstanding contribution to our community – there were many worthy nominations in this year which is great to see,” Cr Milne said.
30 people from 14 difference countries will also be welcomed as Australian citizens in an official Australian Citizenship Ceremony.
“We are a shining example for the rest of Australia when it comes to embracing multiculturalism and being a truly welcoming region,” Cr Milne said. “That’s why people from other countries want to live here and that’s why so many people who move to our area are keen to call themselves Australians.”
Dr Nouria Salehi OAM, who was the 2012 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year and has been recognised for her work with the Afghan community is Mildura’s 2016 Australia Day Ambassador and will give a keynote address at the event. Dr Salehi is a nuclear physicist and biochemist who works closely with volunteer activities in both Australia and Afghanistan.
Entertainment and fun activities planned include two live Australiana performances from Ratbagz Comedy Theatre featuring an anthology of iconic Aussie songs; jumping castles; face painting; a free Aussie themed photo booth; drumming, song and dance workshops led by Sunraysia Arts and Learning and henna tattoos from the SMECC Youth Group henna artists.
There’ll be plenty of tasty treats to purchase too including a traditional barbecue breakfast and pancakes prepared by the Mildura Lions Club, healthy fresh options from Satan’s Secret Nutrition Bar, ice creams from the Great Australian Ice Creamery and drinks from Café de Caravan.
Cr Milne encouraged locals and visitors to join in the fun at the Nowingi Place in Mildura or to get along to one of the many other Australia Day events planned in communities across the region.
“Whichever celebration you choose to join, why not bring along your picnic rugs and chairs and enjoy a special day out with family and friends while celebrating the fantastic community in which we live.”
Other Australia Day events planned across our region include:
OUYEN
From 7am
Council Service Centre Lawns, Oke Street
IRYMPLE
From 7:30am
Henshilwood Oval, Karadoc Avenue
MERBEIN
From 8am
Kenny Park, Box Street
RED CLIFFS
From 8am
Barclay Square
MURRAYVILLE
From 7:30am
Pioneer Park, Corner Reed and Gray Streets
NANGLIOC/COLIGNAN
From 9am
The Mud Hut, Kulkyne Way, Nangiloc
LAKE CULLULLERAINE
From 12pm
Bushman’s Rest Caravan Park, Lake Cullulleraine
UNDERBOOL
From 6:30pm
Outen Park, Malkin Avenue, Underbool
WALPEUP
From 8am
Walpeup Wayside Stop, Cregan Street
ENDS