By Ewen McRae
Melton will welcome more than 100 new Australians this weekend, as Australia Day celebrations take over the town.
Council festivities will take place at the Willows Historical Park on Sunday, including live entertainment by Sonica, a free barbecue, dingoes and reptiles to meet, face painting, kids activities hosted by Bunnings and Melton Men’s Shed, and free coffee and Anzac biscuits.
As part of the celebrations, 120 people will be sworn in as new citizens and the 2020 Community Achievement Award winners, including the Citizen of the Year and the Young Citizen of the Year, will be recognised for their work in the community.
Melton mayor Lara Carli said it would be a day to celebrate all that is good about Australia.
“This is a time to not only celebrate the country we’re so lucky to call home, but the people who help make it so special,” Cr Carli said.
“Our citizenship ceremony is always a highlight of Council’s Australia Day event and I look forward to personally congratulating each of our new residents.”
Entertainment will begin at 9.30am and the event will conclude at noon.
In Moorabool, Australia Day celebrations will run at the Mechanics Institute on Inglis Street, Ballan from 8am on Sunday.
