Australia Day is inching closer and preparations are in full swing for days of family fun in Gunnedah Shire, with former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson announced as the local Australia Day Ambassador.
Gunnedah Shire’s Australia Day Working Group Chair Cr Rob Hooke said it was exciting to see the 2023 program packed full of fun, family-friendly activities.
“Events include everything from touch football to a free pool day, chess competitions, cricket, a cake-off, open days and a free movie screening.
“We’re looking forward to seeing families and friends getting together and enjoying everything this year’s program has to offer in Gunnedah and our villages.”
The shire’s events will kick off with at The Civic on Wednesday, 25 January with the Australia Day Awards Ceremony which will recognise and honour individuals and groups in the local community who have worked to shape and enrich the Shire. Canapes and refreshments will be served from 6.30pm and the ceremony will start at 7.15am.
This year’s ambassador is John Anderson AC, a sixth-generation farmer and grazier who spent 19 years in Australian Parliament from 1989. Mr Anderson served as a senior Cabinet minister in the Howard Government from 1996 to 2005. This included six years as Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Anderson will attend the ceremony and Australia Day events, including the church service under the gums near the Dorothea Mackellar statue in ANZAC Park at 9.30am, followed by a citizenship ceremony at 10am.
Australia Day Splash launches at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex from 9am, with free entry. From 9am-1pm, there will be a free jumping castle, snow cones and barbecue from 11am. A DJ will amp up the vibe in the 50m pool from 1pm-6pm.
There will be free bus services running from Curlewis and Carroll for the pool event. Jump on the bus at 10am at the Carroll Store or 10.40am at the bus stop opposite Curlewis General Store. The bus will depart the pool at 2.20pm for Curlewis and 3.20pm for Carroll.
Aussie Fest is back once again at Donnelly Fields, featuring the popular women’s and men’s Indigenous versus Rest touch football games. There will also be touch shoot-outs and Dash for Cash.
Gunnedah Rural Museum, The Mackellar Centre and Gunnedah Water Tower Museum will also be open on the day.
See or download the full list of events below.
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