Barbecues, cricket and thong throwing
Barbecues, cricket matches and even a thong throwing competition are amongst the activities on offer across Baw Baw Shire on Sunday as 16 local communities hold family friendly events to mark Australia Day.
“Free and fun community barbecues will be held on January 26 from Longwarry to Trafalgar, Aberfeldy to Tetoora Road,” said Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss.
“There’s nothing more Aussie than a barbecue with mates, so be sure to head to your local family-friendly community celebration this Australia Day and join in the fun.”
The day will kick start with breakfasts at Drouin and Trafalgar.
The 7.30am breakfast at Drouin will feature guest speaker Russell Ford of Longwarry, the Warragul Municipal Band and local vocalist Margaret Schellekens. Bookings are essential for the event at the Drouin Anglican Parish Hall by calling 5624 2411.
Due to lack of volunteer resources, the Drouin afternoon event will not run.
Trafalgar’s citizen of the year and young citizen of the year will be announced during the annual breakfast at the Trafalgar Public Hall. No bookings are required for the free event starting at 8am.
The shire’s formal citizenship ceremony and flag raising ceremony will be held in Warragul Civic Park from 10.15am. A special performance by the Warragul Municipal Band and a free community barbecue will follow.
In Yarragon, a flag raising ceremony and free breakfast will be on offer in the Market St Park from 8.30am. Enjoy music, a guest speaker, thong throwing contest and activities.
A cricket match at Erica Caravan Park from 10am will start celebrations in Erica before a sausage sizzle by the Lions Club. Call 5165 3315 to secure a place.
In Thorpdale, a flag raising ceremony followed by a free sausage sizzle will be held at Pioneer Park from 10.30am.
Free family activities and a sausage sizzle will be offered in Longwarry from 11am to 2pm.
There will be music, a jumping castle, face painting, CFA display, vintage car and truck display, games, plant potting workshop and giveaways.
Celebrations will begin at noon in Aberfeldy, Cloverlea and Tanjil South with each offering a free community lunch. Tanjil South will offer music, a quiz and prizes for “best dressed Aussie”.
A family cricket match followed by a free lamb roll and salad dinner will be offered at the Labertouche Community Centre from 4.30pm.
At Neerim South Skate Park, a community barbecue, family activities and the announcement of the Neerim District citizen of the year will be held from 5pm.
The Hill End Community Centre will offer a flag raising ceremony, free two-course meal and a trivia quiz from 6pm.
A flag raising ceremony followed by a free family barbecue will also be on offer at both Kydd-Parke Reserve in Jindivick and Tetoora Road Community Centre from 6pm.
A free community barbecue will also be available at Narracan Hall from 7pm.
Baw Baw Shire will host its annual Australia Day Awards ceremony tonight.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Warragul Country Club from 6.30pm and will feature guest speaker, Australia Day ambassador - groundbreaking radiologist Yvonne Ho.
In addition to her stellar medical career, Dr Ho is also an inspirational speaker, businesswoman, educator, musician and a Member of the Order of Australia.
Awards will be announced for the shire’s citizen of the year and young citizen of the year.
Australia Day medallion awards also will be presented.
Other awards will be presented for cultural achievement award, sporting achievement award and community event of the year.