Residents and visitors to the region are being called on to come together this Australia Day to reflect, respect and celebrate the strength and spirit of our local communities.
Here’s what’s happening across the New England on Australia Day, this Friday January 26:
Tamworth – celebrations in Tamworth begin with a church service at the Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall at 7am, followed by a FREE breakfast at 8am thanks to Peel Valley Lions Club. Official proceedings commence at 9am with the Tamworth Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony. The evening will be electric with the ‘Celebrate Australia Concert’ in Bicentennial Park from 7pm, culminating in fireworks at 9:30pm.
Australia Day Ambassador Mr John Lee OAM will attend most events across Tamworth Regional LGA.
Barraba – Celebrate your local heroes with the Barraba Australia Day Awards from 6pm at the Barraba Golf. Live music will continue from 7.30pm with Jarred Taylor and Band.
Bendemeer – the Bendemeer Hotel is running a Family Fun Day from 10am to 3pm. The official address will be followed with entertainment, family fun games and an art exhibition.
Kootingal – The Kootingal and District Lions Club will be hosting an Aussie breakfast in Memory Park at 8am followed by an Australia Day Address.
Manilla – Manilla Lions Club will be hosting a breakfast in Pioneer Park from 8am before the awards ceremony starts at 9am, followed by live entertainment.
Nundle – The Nundle Bowling Club will host their Australia Day celebrations from 6pm with entertainment from Sally-Anne Whitten and the Rumour Mill.
Woolomin – Join the Woolomin Wombats Cricket Team at the Woolomin Recreation Grounds for a great day of social cricket and entertainment starting at 11am.
Gunnedah Shire – the annual Australia Day Awards Ceremony will be held on Australia Day Eve at the Gunnedah Town Hall from 6.30pm, with awards being presented across 13 categories.
A host of activities are planned throughout the Shire on Friday, January 26th including open days at the Dorothea Mackellar Centre and Gunnedah Rural Museum, and the Great Australia Day Cake-Off at the Gunnedah CWA Room.
Gunnedah will host a Citizenship Ceremony underneath the gums at ANZAC Park and community barbecues will be held at Tambar Springs and Emerald Hill. FREE entry will be offered at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex plus a complementary barbecue.
For more information and ticket bookings: https://www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre–events
Uralla – will start with a Big Breakfast at Balala RFS Fire Shed from 7.00am. Events then move into the main street of Uralla with a community parade to Alma Park, where formal proceedings will take place. Uralla will host an Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony addressed by Australia Day Ambassador Ms Susie Elelman AM, with activities and entertainment to continue through the day. Bundarra’s Commercial Hotel will also have free live entertainment from 1.30pm, with activities for kids and adults.
As Uralla Pool is closed on Friday 26th, a FREE POOL PARTY will be held on Saturday 27th January.
Armidale – an Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony will be held in Central Park from 10.30am. There will be a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony as well as other cultural performances during the event, followed by lunch. Guyra will hold their Australia Day Awards on Australia Day Eve with a dinner at the Guyra Bowling Club from 6.30pm (Tickets $25pp from the GALA Centre). Armidale will host Australia Day Ambassador Mr Michael James Crossland.
Glen Innes Severn Shire – Glen Innes will host a FREE Australia Day breakfast at Dundee Hall from 8.00am, followed by the official Australia Day Ceremony commencing at 11.30am in the Glen Innes & District Services Club. Australia Day Ambassador Mr Corey Payne will be special guest for the proceedings.
Narrabri – will host an Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in the Multipurpose Room at Narrabri Aquatic Centre from 10.00am, followed by a FREE Family Fun Day at the Aquatic Centre until 5.30pm. All Shire pools will have FREE entry on the day, with Boggabri holding an Australia Day Celebration at Boggabri Memorial Swimming Pool from 1.00pm with a FREE sausage sizzle and entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Wee Waa is holding their Australia Day Celebration at the Namoi Echo Museum with a FREE breakfast from 7.00am followed by official proceedings then entertainment throughout the day.
Moree Plains Shire Council is inviting everyone to come along to Jellicoe Park in Moree to attend the Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony and enjoy a free breakfast by the Moree Lions Club, commencing at 8am.
Australia Day Ambassador, Mr. Clyde Campbell AM, will attend official events in Narrabri Shire and Moree Plains Shire areas.
Liverpool Plains Shire – Australia Day celebrations commence at the Warrah Creek Recreation Centre from 9am with cricket in the morning, followed by a dog jumping show and barbecue lunch. The major ceremony for the Liverpool Plains Shire will be held at Quirindi RSL Club from 10am with presentation of the Liverpool Plains Australia Day Awards and Citizenships.
The Lions Club of Werris Creek who host an evening BBQ at David Taylor Park from 6pm, with events and entertainment concluding with a fireworks display. Australia Day Ambassador, Mr Gary Dawson OAM will attend all events. Entry to Werris Creek Pool is also free to all patrons on 26 January 2024.
Tenterfield Shire will hold their Australia Day Awards Ceremony at the Tenterfield Showground from 8.30am starting with a FREE breakfast, followed by official proceedings and awards, then the grand opening of the Tenterfield Show. Fireworks will grace the skies from 8.00pm.
Inverell Shire – Inverell will hold its official Australia Day proceedings in Victoria Park from 7.30am, starting with a breakfast to support the Macintyre Lions Club, and official program commencing for 8.15am. Delungra will hold their celebrations in Anzac Park from 10.30am, with official proceeding from 12.00pm, while Tingha will hold an evening event in Tingha Town Hall from 6.30pm. Australia Day Ambassador for the Inverell Shire is Mr John Wearne AM.
Gwydir Shire – Australia Day will start with a Big BBQ Breakfast from 7.00am at the Warialda Showground, by gold coin donation. Official proceedings will commence at 9.00am, followed by a morning tea provided by the CWA, by gold coin donation. Australia Day Ambassador Ms Isabella Bain will be the special guest.
Walcha – Australia Day Ambassador Mr Nicholas Gleeson will attend official proceedings. Walcha Bowling & Rec Club have a few activities organised with the highlight being a (foot) thong decorating competition. Walcha will hold their FREE Pool Party on Wednesday, 24th January, from 1.00pm.
Please check your local Council website or Facebook page for more information.
Something going on in your part of the region you think people should know about? Send us a news tip or email newsdesk@netimes.com.au.