THERE will be no shortage of activities for locals to celebrate on Australia Day in Gunnedah this year.
Gunnedah’s Australia Day Working Group, which is affiliated with Gunnedah Shire Council, will host the festivities in conjunction with several community groups and local businesses. This year’s ambassador is Frank Coletta.
A chess tournament hosted by the Gunnedah Chess Club will kick off the week of celebrations on January 21 followed by an Australia Day trivia night at the Gunnedah Golf Club on January 24.
Gunnedah Shire Council will then usher in Australia Day with the annual Australia Day Awards dinner at the Gunnedah Town Hall on the evening of January 25.
Australia Day itself will kick-off bright and early with a triathlon starting at the Gunnedah Memorial heated pool from 6.30am.
Donnelly Fields will see plenty of action throughout the day, with a church ceremony at 8am, followed by a citizenship ceremony at 8.30am. There will be free kids activities and a sausage sizzle from 10.30am.
Woolshed Reserve will be abuzz with activity from 9am, with a fire brigade fun day hosted by Gunnedah Fire and Rescue, a pet parade and a family rugby day hosted by the Gunnedah Rugby Club.
A highlight of the Australia Day event is the much anticipated Gunnedah Raft and Craft Race at 9.15am from Cushan’s Reserve.
Families can cap off their afternoon with a free screening of Blinky Bill at The Civic Theatre at 2pm.
Local pubs and clubs will also be getting in the spirit of Australia Day with family friendly activities, Australian food specials and live music all afternoon and evening. Highlights will include an Aussie bake-off competition, eating competition and yabbie races.
For more information or to book tickets to any of these events, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
