Australia Day Celebrations

MEDIA RELEASE 18 January 2023

Reflect, respect and celebrate Australia Day with a variety of events across the region.

Mayor Robert Taylor said it’s a day to celebrate all the things that we love about Australia.

“There are several activities occurring around the city and the villages for our community to enjoy including a citizenship ceremony, barbecues, movie memorabilia exhibition and the popular free entry to Manning Aquatic Centre,” he said.

"We will induct 51 new citizens from nations around the world including Nepal, South Africa, United State of America, Philippines, Ireland, Pakistan, Vietnam, New Zealand, India, Netherlands, Chile, Ukraine and Malawi. It is such a special occasion as we officially welcome our newest citizens to our local community, and also as Australians."

“We also have the honour of multi award winning innovator, social entrepreneur and founder of Good360 Australia, Alison Covington as the Australia Day Ambassador.”

Good360 is a matchmaker, repurposing items of value by giving them a ‘first life’ with nothing left unused and directing them to Australians in need via Australia’s largest online marketplace matching surplus to need.

Since 2015, Alison has been responsible for businesses donating $300M+ of goods, including BIG W, Harvey Norman, LEGO and Colgate and matching 33+ million items to 3500+ charities and schools.

The program this year will feature the Australian Movie Memorabilia Exhibition courtesy of local retiree Noel Cowan. The display will be held at BMEC from 9.30am until 12.30pm and includes items such as original souvenir movie programs, posters, and cinema programs.

Activity Program

• Citizenship Ceremony from 9.30am at BMEC
• Australia Day Awards from 11.30am at BMEC
• Free entry to Manning Aquatic Centre from 11am – 5.30pm
• Sofala Village Markets at Sofala Memorial Hall from 10am – 2pm
• Wattle Flat - free barbecue, live music at Thomson Street Reserve 10am –2pm
• Rockley – free barbecue at Stevens Park from 11am – 2pm
• Bathurst Aqua Park – live music, free barbecue, face painting at Chifley Dam from 11am - 5pm
• Archie 100 – A century of the Archibald Prize at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery 10am - 4pm