The community is invited to partake in a variety of Australia Day events to acknowledge local heroes, welcome new citizens and celebrate what it means to be Australian.
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Rotary Club of Laurieton will host the 2019 Australia Day ceremony from 7.30am on Saturday, January 26 where people are invited to enjoy a performance by the Camden Haven Concert Band and purchase an Aussie breakfast on the top of North Brother Mountain.
A flag raising ceremony and official program will take place from 8am.
Addresses will be made by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Mayor Peta Pinson, Australia Day Ambassador Narelle Campbell and Camden Haven High School captains.
Rotary Club of Laurieton event organiser Ian Jackson said January 26 is a day of celebration, where people can recognise past heritage and take a break to appreciate what they have.
“It’s a day where we all share and come together,” he said.
Birpai elder Uncle Bill O’Brien will deliver his Welcome to Country at the event.
Uncle Bill is the Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council chairperson and a member since 1984.
A free shuttle bus will be available to take people up the mountain at 6.45am and 7.20am from the Busways depot at Captain Cook Bicentennial Drive.
The annual Tinny Races hosted by Lake Cathie Bowling Club have been cancelled in 2019.
The Lake Cathie Bowling Club committee decided against running the event and director Terry McDermott said a number of factors impacted the decision.
Terry said recently there have been changes to the legislation which applies to the event.
The ‘state of the lake’, Terry said, also played into the decision as there is currently very little water at the location and fish fatalities over the past month.
Laurieton United Services Club will host a free celebratory event from 3pm on Australia Day.
There will be a variety of activities to impress all ages, including a jumping castle, obstacle course, face painting and bungee run.
There will also be pie eating competition and gumboot toss.
Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club will be in charge of running the barbecue at the event. All proceeds from the barbecue will help support the club and its members.
Other events
Wauchope activities will start at 8am with a large vintage car, truck and machinery display, markets, free waterslides, a jumping castle and bungee run for the kids. The official program starts at 11am.
Market stalls will launch festivities in Port Macquarie from 8am with a variety of food stalls spread across the Town Green.
There will be local musicians playing throughout the day from 10am. Aquatic activities will take place on the Hastings River (just off Lady Nelson Wharf) from 10.30am.
At 3pm the official Australia Day ceremony will commence, including the announcement of the 2019 Port Macquarie-Hastings Australia Day Awards recipients and a citizenship ceremony.