Australia Day celebrations will again be held at Peter Depena Reserve this year with a community festival set to entertain people of all ages.
The free event will feature a special citizenship ceremony, the annual Bayside Citizen of the Year award, live entertainment, children’s activities and a community sausage sizzle.
This year the Australia Day Ambassador is TV personality and presenter of Burke’s Backyard — Don Burke.
Don Burke has won numerous Logie awards and was awarded an OAM for services to environment and media in 2012. He is also an established author with 15 books published to date.
The event will start from 8.15am with a Welcome to Country by Diramu and an official flag raising ceremony.
The entertainment will run from 10am to 1pm from acts including Dimaru Aboriginal Dance and Didgeridoo, party band Jellybean Jam and a free sausage sizzle.
There will also be a lot of free fun for kids including a drumming workshop, free face painting and a lamington workshop.
Other events held across the region include the Botany Bay Regatta which will see sailors circumnavigate Botany Bay and Kogarah Bay.
The Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre will also open its doors for the first time on Australia Day.
There will also be a day of mixed social bowls at the Moorefield Sporting and Bowling Club.
Bayside Council Administrator Greg Wright said he was looking forward to the day.
‘’I am looking forward to my first Australia Day in Bayside. It is a wonderful opportunity that brings the community together to share the qualities that make us all Australian and welcome our newest citizens,’’ he said.
“As well as meeting our Australia Day Ambassador Don Burke, I am also looking forward to announcing the inaugural Bayside Citizen of the Year awards which honour the extraordinary achievements of our residents.
“I am also pleased that the Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre has been completed ahead of schedule and will open to the public on Australia Day with free entry to residents on the day.”