Community focus for Australia Day events
Australia Day will be celebrated on Friday with community breakfasts and barbecues across the district.
Celebrations will begin in Warragul at Baw Baw Shire’s award ceremony on Thursday night, where citizen of the year and young citizen of the year will be awarded.
Other awards include community event of the year, community contribution to environmental achievement, community contribution to cultural achievement and Australia Day medallions.
Peter Sullivan has once again been selected as Baw Baw Shire’s Australia Day ambassador and guest speaker for the Warragul awards ceremony.
Mayor Joe Gauci will host the awards, while Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath and Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood also will attend as guest speakers.
There will be 18 community events to be enjoyed in Baw Baw Shire on Friday, with most provided free of charge.
Scouts and Girl Guides will lead a flag ceremony in Warragul’s Civic Park at 11.30am.
The community event will include a special performance by the Warragul Municipal Band, followed by a citizenship ceremony hosted by Cr Gauci.
Guest speaker at Drouin’s 39th Australia Day breakfast will be local identity Rev. Dr Jim Connelly, author and semi-retired Anglican priest.
Entertainment at the breakfast will be provided by the Warragul Municipal Band under the leadership of bandmaster Benjamin Sim.
The breakfast is conducted by Drouin Rotary Club on behalf of council, with catering by the Drouin CWA.
The towns of Trafalgar and Yarragon also will celebrate over breakfast.
Trafalgar - members of the Trafalgar Scout Group will compere the event, which will include awarding of Trafalgar’s citizen of the year. Guest speakers will be Trafalgar Rotary Club president David Watts and Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood.
The annual Trafalgar breakfast at the Public Hall is free of charge, with no bookings necessary.
Yarragon - a breakfast will be held at Market St park from 8.30am. Egg and bacon sandwiches will be on offer, along with yoghurt and orange juice. The CFA will host children’s activities, while the event will also include a thong throw activity.
Several other community barbecues will be held at lunch time and into the evening.
Drouin - celebrations will continue into the evening with a concert to be held at Civic Park from 4pm.
The Stump Jump Band will provide entertainment, with the event including a free family barbecue. Children’s activities include jumping castle, games, small animal farm and more.
Labertouche - a free family barbecue will be held from 10am, with cold drinks available to buy.
Longwarry - celebrations will be held from 11am in Bennet Park and will include sausage sizzle, drinks, lollies, icy poles, tea, coffee and scones.
The event also will include CFA open day, vintage car display and flag raising at noon. Children’s activities include games, jumping castle, quizzes and free plant potting
Tanjil South - a family barbecue lunch will include Aussie music, a quiz and prizes for best dressed Aussie.
Shady Creek - a free family barbecue lunch and desserts will be on offer at the hall from noon. The day will also feature entertainment, novelty games, competitions and activities.
Darnum - a children’s movie will be screened at Darnum/Ellinbank CFA following a free barbecue lunch at noon.
Flag raising ceremony and a free sausage sizzle with live music and children’s activities will be held at Darnum Memorial Hall from 5.30pm.
Aberfeldy - a flag raising ceremony at Cullen’s Flat, near Aberfeldy, will be followed by a barbecue lunch and Australian music. Bring your own drinks and a salad or desert to share.
Rawson - a family barbecue and refreshments will be on offer from 3.30pm at the picnic area at the Rawson Indoor Pool.
Hill End - ceremony will begin at the former school site at 6pm, with family barbecue, novelty games and competitions to follow. Join in a flag raising ceremony and barbecue at Kydd-Parke Reserve. Bring a salad to share.
Neerim South - a free family barbecue with salads and desserts will be held from 6pm. To be held at the Neerim South skatepark barbecue area, the evening will also include competitions and Aussie music. Test your balance skills in the egg and spoon races, or enter a family team in tunnel ball.
Tetoora Road - a flag raising ceremony will be held at 6pm, with barbecue to follow. Bring everything except meat.
Narracan - a free family barbecue will be held at Narracan Public Hall at 7pm. Bring a salad or dessert to share.