Events designed for all members of the community to attend will be held in Raymond Terrace, Lemon Tree Passage, Karuah and Nelson Bay on Friday, January 26.

Doug Cross, who has been part of the committee behind the Nelson Bay Australia Day celebrations for the past 21 years, said the large and mostly free Bay event was designed to bring the community together.

“All of us on the committee are community-minded,” he said. “We all get a kick of out of organising an event like this. 

“This is a day to celebrate all the great things about being Australian and living in this great country. This event is an opportunity to celebrate that.”

The Nelson Bay event, which begins with a parade past the Nelson Bay foreshore up to Fly Point, is traditionally the largest in Port Stephens. It attracts more than 6000 people each year. 

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There will be plenty of activities, food, entertainment and fun for children and the young at heart available at Neil Carroll Park from 9am to 4pm on January 26. 

This year the Bay event will include a sail past. Boats will sail past the park at 10.30am. 

The Raymond Terrace event, which will be staged in Riverside Park between 8am and 2.30pm, will kick off the official proceedings of the day.

Winners of the Port Stephens Annual Awards will be announced after an address by the Port Stephens Mayor, Ryan Palmer, and ambassador, who this year is Peter McLean.

Mr McLean is the chief executive officer of the Can Too Foundation, an independent health charity committed to funding cancer research. Before joining the foundation, he was the executive officer for the Australian Organics Recycling Association.

After working in local government early in his career, Mr McLean moved to National Parks and Wildlife Service then Keep Australia Beautiful NSW.

He spent 11 years with Keep Australia Beautiful, where he managed litter reduction campaigns and various community development programs like Tidy Towns before becoming chief executive officer in 2007. 

Mr McLean regularly advises and assists local councils on a variety of issues including social, environmental practices and financial management. 

Following the Raymond Terrace event, which runs 8am to 2.30pm, the award winners, mayor and ambassador make their way to Nelson Bay for a ceremony, which will begin at 1pm.

Karuah RSL Club have been organising an Australia Day celebration since 2008. The event, which runs 9am to 9pm, is modelled on a country show and includes, food and cooking competitions, with all produce auctioned off, thong throwing, bowls and live music.

All money raised on the day, through entry fees and auctions, is donated back to the Karuah, North Arm Cove and Limeburners Rural Fire Brigades. 

Australia Day in Lemon Tree Passage is held in Henderson Park. Run by Tilligerry Lions Club, with support from Port Stephens Council, the day includes a barbecue breakfast, activities and live entertainment.

There will also be a car display. Anyone with a classic, vintage, muscle or hot rod car is welcome to show their car. Just drive it to the park at 8am.

The Lemon Tree Passage event begins at 8am and wraps up at 12.30pm.

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Time: 8am to 2.30pm

Location: Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace

Raymond Terrace kicks off the Australia Day activities in Port Stephens each year.

The traditional Great Aussie Breakfast will be served from 8am, which will be followed by formal presentations and the Australia Day civic ceremony. This will include announcing the winners of the Port Stephens Annual Awards such as Freeman of Port Stephens, Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Port Stephens Medal and Sportsperson of the Year.

Click here to see who the 2017 award winners were.

There will also be a variety of entertainment, family fun amusements and speedboat demonstrations from the Aquatic Club of Raymond Terrace available throughout the day.

Australia Day in Raymond Terrace schedule:

8am: Free Great Aussie Breakfast (while stock lasts). Sponsored by Raymond Terrace Bowling Club, served by Lions and Rotary Clubs of Raymond Terrace

8.30am: Markets and amusements open

9am: Formal presentations on The Mutual Stage: Welcome to Country, flag raising and National Anthem, address by Australia Day ambassador, Port Stephens Annual Awards

10am: Speedboat demonstrations by Aquatic Club of Raymond Terrace. Free lamingtons will be made available at the park rotunda (while stock lasts). RAAF flyover by Hawks from 78 Wing

Noon: Jumpin’ Jukebox band on The Mutual Stage

Time: 9am to 4pm 

Location: Neil Carroll Park, Fly Point, Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay is known to go all out for its Australia Day offerings and this year is no different.

As is tradition, the day will begin with the Australia Day parade through town. Then will be plenty of activities, food, entertainment and fun for children and the young at heart available at Neil Carroll Park on Friday, January 26.

Free Australian flags, chips, jumping castles and pony rides will be available to children throughout the day. Additionally, children can be entertained by JD’s World of Magic, displays, workshops, an Australian Reptile Park show and education talk, giant slide, chair ride, laughing clowns, alpaca and sheep shearing demonstrations plus baby animals.

There will be more than 90 stalls set up in the park throughout the day, a vintage and classic car display plus displays by the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigade, Spinners and Weavers and RAAF cadets.

In addition to an entire food court, there will be a barbecue firing, snow cones and ice cream available as well as cool drinks.

This event is organised by the Nelson Bay Australia Day Subcommittee with support from Port Stephens Council, Rotary Club Nelson Bay, Nelson Bay Freemasons and the major sponsor, Marquis Bathroom Products.

Australia Day in Nelson Bay schedule:

9am: Australia Day parade. Starts at Laman Street, winds down Victoria Parade along the Nelson Bay waterfront and finishes in Neil Carroll Park, Fly Point.

9.45am: Hunter School of Performing Arts’ marching band to perform in front of the park stage.

10.15am: The Years on stage

10.30am: Sail Past

11am: Ultimate Dance and Performing Arts

11.57am: Flag Raising and National Anthem 

12.05pm: The Years on stage

1pm: Welcome to Country plus introductions to the recipients of Port Stephens Annual Awards, Australia Day address by the Port Stephens Australia Day Ambassador, citizenship ceremony, affirmation and National Anthem, cutting of the Australia Day cake

2.15pm: The Years on stage

3pm: Robyn Yvette School of Dance 

Time: 9am to 9pm

Location: Karuah RSL, Karuah

The Karuah RSL Club have been organising an Australia Day celebration since 2008. The event is modelled on a country show and includes, food and cooking competitions, with all produce auctioned off, thong throwing, bowls and live music.

All money raised on the day, through entry fees and auctions, is donated back to the Karuah, North Arm Cove and Limeburners Rural Fire Brigades.

Members form all three RFS participate and the event is well attended by locals. At the end of the evening a fireworks display takes place that is presented by Aurora Fireworks (Maitland) with support of the members of the RFS.

Time: 8am to 12.30pm

Location: Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage

Enjoy a barbecue breakfast, fun activities and some great entertainment including live music by from Australian bush band Brumby's Run and the Australian Army Band at Lemon Tree Passage on Friday.

The free community Australia Day event is supported by the Lions Club of Tilligerry and Port Stephens Council.