Liam McNally
This January 26, Melton and Moorabool councils will host special citizenship ceremonies and community award ceremonies that recognise community achievers.
In Melton, 200 people will be sworn in as new citizens, and the winners of the 2022 Community Achievement Awards will be celebrated with a free sausage sizzle and live entertainment.
Among the award winners will be City of Melton Citizen of the Year and community champion, Les Chitts.
City of Melton residents are invited to join in the free celebrations from 9.30am to noon at the Willows Historical Park in Melton on Thursday, January 26.
Festivities will include live entertainment by Alexi Cola Duo, dingoes and reptiles to meet, a market hosted by the Country Women’s Association, and activities for all ages from Bunnings and the Taylor’s Hill Men’s Shed.
A free sausage sizzle and free coffee will also be available.
Melton mayor Lara Carli said Australia Day is “not only a time to celebrate the country we’re so lucky to call home, but the people who help make it so special.”
“Our awards are just one way we recognise our many residents who have made outstanding contributions locally. Our community spirit makes me proud to call Melton City home,” she said.
“Our citizenship ceremony is always an Australia Day highlight and I look forward to personally congratulating each of our new citizens.”
Moorabool council will be hosting their own annual Australia Day Awards celebrating the achievements and contributions of individuals and community groups in the shire.
Moorabool council said the awards are one of the “highest honours” council can bestow to publicly acknowledge local heroes, whose dedication and contributions may otherwise go unnoticed.
The awards will begin at 9am at the Mechanics Institute, Ballan, and will include musical entertainment and a town crier.
The awards will be followed by a citizenship ceremony from 11.30am.
