With Australia Day just around the corner, Moorabool Council is busy getting the festivities ready.
Everyone is invited to the council’s official Australia Day celebrations on Sunday, January 26 at the Ballan Mechanics Institute, 143 Inglis Street, Ballan.
Festivities will include musical entertainment, a town crier, Australia Day awards presentation and an Australian citizenship ceremony.
Moorabool Shire Council Mayor Paul Tatchell said: “Australia Day is a time for us to welcome our newest citizens and acknowledge the importance of what it means to become a full member of the Australian community.”
“Our annual Australia Day event not only acknowledges the citizens’ commitment to Australia’s values of freedom, democracy, equality and respect, but it also celebrates the achievements of our Moorabool Shire residents who have made a remarkable difference in their communities.”
The Australia Day awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of individuals and community groups in the shire.
The prestigious awards are one of the highest honours a council can bestow to publicly acknowledge local heroes, whose dedication and contributions may otherwise go unnoticed.
Awards will be given for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Event of the Year.
For those who can’t make it, the event will also be live-streamed on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Melton City Council has a jam-packed Australia Day, with three citizenship ceremonies to hold this year to welcome the city’s newest citizens.
Nearly 1,000 residents will officially become Australian citizens during the ceremonies to be held at Cobblebank Indoor Stadium – Stadium Drive, Cobblebank, on Friday, January 24 and Australia Day, Sunday, January 26.
City of Melton mayor Cr Steve Abboushi said: “Australia Day is a time to celebrate the people who make the country we are blessed to call home so special.’’
“It’s great to see so many conferees being sworn in this year in the City of Melton and reflects the amazing diversity of our wonderful City.”
“I’m looking forward to congratulating our new citizens and coming together to enjoy the community spirit that makes our City so special.”