Georges River Council is inviting the community to participate in its upcoming Australia Day program for 2025, which features an offering of events and activities;
The program will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, honour local heroes, and allow the community to discover a rich collection of Australian literature.
On Saturday 18 January 2025, the program will begin with a special event, Yarn Up: Celebrating Cultures and Understanding Australia Day, at Carss Bush Park. It will feature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural performances and shine a light on ongoing progress towards advancing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The event will also provide opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and allies to reflect on ways to engage in conversations that promote respect and understanding about the significance of 26 January for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
On Sunday 26 January 2025, the Georges River Australia Day Awards official ceremony will be held at the Marana Auditorium from 10.00am.
The awards ceremony will recognise and celebrate four exceptional people who have made significant contributions to the local community, with a winner in each of the following categories:
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Young Citizen of the Year
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Citizen of the Year
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Volunteer of the Year
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Localability Citizen of the Year
The awards presentation will be followed by a citizenship ceremony to welcome new Australian citizens to Georges River on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.
Council also welcomes Georges River's Australia Day Ambassador for 2025, Amar Hadid. The 26-year-old female professional skateboarder was the recipient of a scholarship for skateboarding at the University of Sydney, the first of its kind in Australia. As a result of her dedicated training, Amar has represented Australia in international competitions.
On Sunday 26 January 2025, Council's annual Australia Day Picnic will return to Carss Bush Park from 4.30pm to 9.00pm. This family and pet friendly event includes food stalls, activities for children and will end with a spectacular fireworks display over Kogarah Bay.
Georges River Libraries will also showcase a display in each of its libraries featuring Australian authors and their stories, from Monday 6 to Friday 31 January 2025.
Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said: "Georges River is a community that thrives on inclusivity and respect, and this year's Australia Day program reflects those values."
"From recognising the achievements of local heroes to celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, this program provides meaningful opportunities for the entire community to connect and learn from each other."
