Whether you call it Australia Day, Invasion Day, or Thursday, there’s lots going on today around the region. Here’s what we’ve found so far. If you know of something happening that’s not on the list, let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au and we’ll add it as soon as we can.
ARMIDALE
The official events in Armidale be at Civic Park, starting at 10.45am with the Welcome to Country, Citizenship ceremony and the local Australia Day awards. Cultural performance and a barbecue by the Armidale Rams available after the awards or bring a picnic lunch. See more.
There’ll be free entry to the Monckton Aquatic Centre pool all day.
The Railway Hotel is getting into the spirit with a thong throwing competition, prizes for best dressed, and $18 parmis. See more.
The Royal Hotel will be raising money for Backtrack from 12 midday, hosting a pie eating contest, and live music from 7pm. See more.
ASHFORD
Australia Day in Ashford will be celebrated with free entry to the Ashford pool for the duration of Australia Day celebrations. A BBQ breakfast by the Ashford Lions Club will be provided, flag raising ceremony, yabbie races, yard games and presentation of the Citizen of the Year award. BBQ breakfast from 8:00am, with official ceremony to follow. See more.
BALALA
An Australia Day Breakfast is on at the Balala RFB Fire Shed on Retreat Road from 7am to 9am. $10 each, kids under 12 are free!
BARRABA
Head to the Barraba Golf Club to celebrate local heroes at the Barraba Australia Day Awards ceremony starting at 6pm. Entertainment will kick off at 7pm with Brothers Hollow following be Al Buchan and The Buccaneers from 8:15pm. See more.
BEN LOMOND
A community breakfast is on at the Ben Lomond Memorial Hall from 7am.
BENDEMEER
Join the Grey Fergie Tractor Muster S355 Committee and Cr Judy Coates at the Bendemeer Hotel for a Family Fun Day! There will be a competition for best Aussie hat and music kicking off with Al Buchan and The Buccaneers from 1pm. See more.
BINGARA
A community breakfast starts the day in Bingara in the Roxy Theatre Courtyard from 8am. At 9.15 the official proceedings starts with a flag raising and awards presentation. Celebrations continue with an Aussie Sporting Afternoon at the Bingara Sporting Club. See more.
DEEPWATER
There’s a free breakfast happening at the School of Arts Hall from 8am.
GLEN INNES
Official proceedings get underway from 10.30am at the Glen Innes & District Services Club Auditorium including the citizenship and awards ceremonies and a free morning tea. See more.
GRAMAN
Quite the day planned in Graman with the Graman Hotel putting on a Bull Riding Bonaza on starting from 5pm, and yabby races at 3pm. $25 for adults, kids are free. See more.
GUNNEDAH
There’s a whole day of official events planned in Gunnedah – see our story!
The highlight is the Australia Day Splash event on at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex from 9am, with free entry. From 1pm-6pm, there will be a free jumping castle, snow cones and barbecue from 11am. DJ CONz will amp up the vibe from 1pm-6pm. This is an alcohol-free event, and there will be free bus services – see more
At the Railway Hotel in Gunnedah there’ll be a carpark cricket tournament from 2pm. The pub will be open from 10am with Aussie tunes playing all day. See more.
GUYRA
The day starts in Guyra with a flag-raising ceremony at Guyra Council Administration building at 9am and a morning tea afterwards at the Guyra Historical Museum.
There’ll be free entry to the Guyra Pool all day.
The Guyra Australia Day Awards dinner is being held at the Guyra Bowling Club on Wednesday 25 January starting at 6.30pm.
INVERELL
Victoria Park is the spot for Australia Day celebrations in Inverell starting from 7:30am with a delicious BBQ breakfast from Inverell-Macintyre Lions Club (gold coin donation). The official ceremony to begin at 8:15am. See more.
KOOTINGAL
The Kootingal Recreation Reserve S355 Committee is proud to be hosting a fun filled evening at Memory Park. There will be a BBQ and entertainment courtesy of Jodie Crosby, followed by a firework spectacular thanks to Holy Smoke. See more.
MOREE
Free community breakfast starts the day at Jellicoe Park in Moree, with official ceremonies starting from 9am. See more.
NUNDLE
Official events in Nundle will start at 5pm at the bowling club. Following the Awards there is a massive line-up of talent including Lawson Thompson, Ashleigh Dallas and the Peel River Surf Club. See more.
OLD BAR
The Tav at Old Bar is holding the 4th Annual Chilli Wing competition at 3pm, as well as having a jumping castle for the kids and thong throwing. Courtesy bus available too, see more.
SCONE
There’s a Backyard Party at the Belmore Hotel, with live music, paddle pools for the kids, plus free ice-cream + drink with every children’s meal purchase. See more.
TAMWORTH
Tamworth’s Australia Day official activities are happening at the Town Hall on Fitzroy Street. A church service will start the day of celebrations at 7:30am. A BBQ Breakfast will follow at 8:30am thanks to The Rotary Club of Tamworth Sunrise. The breakfast will include FREE egg, sausage, and bacon rolls. At 10am the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony and Tamworth Australia Day Awards ceremony will be held.
In the evening there is an Australia Day concert being held at Bicentennial Park with music from Sally-Anne Whitten & The Rumour Mill, Party Train and Goldheist. To finish the night there will be fireworks from 9:30pm. Food trucks will there, Don’t forget to bring along a camping chair or picnic rug to enjoy the concert! See more.
The Longyard Hotel has Splashpool performing from 4pm and prizes for best dressed. See more.
The Family Hotel are also doing prizes for bessed dressed Aussie icon and live music from 2pm. See more.
The Pub on Gunnedah Road have yabby races and family fun on for Australia Day – see more.
TINGHA
The official Australia Day celebrations will be held at the Tingha Sport and Recreation Club starting at 5:30pm. Enjoy the Australia Day Award presentation, dinner at 6pm courtesy of the Tingha Citizens Association Inc (TCAI) and a fireworks from 9pm.
Tingha Tigers RLFC are inviting you and the family to come along and join in for a day of entertainment, and of course, the age old sport – Yabby Racing and more – at the Tingha Royal Hotel. Plenty of prizes to win on the day, BBQ will be available starting around 11.30am. There’s also a Bridge to Bridge fishing competition, and a pool comp starting at 7pm. See more
URALLA
Uralla Australia Day festivities begin with a procession including the tradies parade from Park Street Corner, up Bridge Street to Alma Park via Hill Street. The official ceremony including awards and citizenship ceremony will then take place at Alma Park. See more.
WALCHA
There’s an Australia Day breakfast on from 7.30am til midday at McHattan Park in Walcha. Walsh St has been closed, see more.
WARIALDA
Warialda’s celebrations start at 7.30am with a breakfast at the Warialda Showground, with the awards and a morning tea kicking off from 9am. See more.
WELLINGROVE
There’s a free breakfast from 8am to 10am at the Wellingrove Hall.
WERRIS CREEK
Australia Day Celebrations with fireworks, market stalls & live music is happening tonight from 5.30 at David Taylor Oval. See more.
YETMAN
Australia Day will be held out the back of the Codfish Hotel from 11:00am. Celebrations include a BBQ lunch, flag unfurling and a damper competition. There will also be games for all ages, raffles and other goodies to enjoy. Proceeds from the day will assist the Mills family. See more.