Thousands are set to turn out to the Port Stephens Australia Day events on Saturday, January 26 which will have a strong focus on celebrating the Port’s individuality and its community.
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Australia Day festivities will be held in Raymond Terrace, Nelson Bay, Lemon Tree Passage and Karuah. Each event will have a host of activities for the whole family including food, market and community stalls, live entertainment and more.
Here’s a run down of what’s in store:
Raymond Terrace
Festivities will start at 8am with a free barbecue breakfast supported again this year by Raymond Terrace Bowling Club and cooked by the town’s Rotary and Lions clubs.
Throughout the day there will be speedboat demonstrations by Aquatic Club of Raymond Terrace on the Hunter River, a RAAF flypast, market stalls and community group displays, jumping castles and face painting, a road crash display by the SES, live music, pony rides, balloon art and laughing clowns, music and bursts of culture from Indigenous groups.
The official part of the event will begin at 9am which will include the announcement of the Port Stephens Annual Award winners, an address by the Port’s Australia Day ambassador and citizenship ceremonies.
Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace, 8am to 2.30pm
Port Stephens Annual Awards
Two organisations and 14 individuals have been selected as finalists in the 2018 Port Stephens Annual Awards. Winners will be announced in Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace at 9am on Saturday.
“Every one of these individuals and groups are all very worthy nominees – going above and beyond for our community to make Port Stephens a great place to live, work and play,” Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said. “I’m looking forward to announcing the winners on Australia Day as part of our celebrations.”
Meet the Port’s 2019 Australia Day ambassador
Prominent community member and businesswoman Kathy Rimmer was selected by Port Stephens Council to be the 2019 Australia Day ambassador.
“To me, Australia Day is all about celebrating our diversity. We all have different upbringings, perspectives and cultures,” Mrs Rimmer, from Salamander Bay, said.
“It’s wonderful to come together on this day to celebrate each other’s differences and everything that makes us Australian. Port Stephens is such a supportive and tight-knit community. I’m excited to be able to share my love of this place and its people as the Australia Day ambassador.”
Nelson Bay
Traditionally, Nelson Bay’s Australia Day event attracts the largest crowd.
The festivities will begin with the Australia Day parade at 9am. The parade starts near Apex Park and moves up Victoria Parade to Fly Point Park.
On offer in the park throughout the day will be free Australia flags, chips, pony rides and jumping castles for children, a RAAF flypast, alpaca and sheep shearing demonstrations, baby animals, vintage and classic cars on display, displays by RFS, NSW Fire and Rescue, spinners and weavers, Australian Reptile Parks Shows and educational talks and a 90-stall market.
There will be music from The Years and performances by Hunter School of Performing Arts’ marching band, Ultimate Dance and Performing Arts and Robyn Yvette School of Dance.
Fly Point Park, Nelson Bay, 9am to 4pm
Karuah
Karuah RSL Club will host the town’s Australia Day celebration which is modelled on a 'country show' and includes food and cooking competitions, with all produce auctioned off, thong throwing competition, bowls and live music.
The day ends with a fireworks show.
Karuah RSL Club, Karuah, 9am to 9pm
Lemon Tree Passage
Tilligerry Lions Club are behind the Lemon Tree Passage event, which will begin with a breakfast at 8am and will wrap up about 1pm.
There will be food, live music, entertainment, children’s activities and a competition to find the best dressed man, woman, boy, girl and pet.
Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage, 8am to 1pm