Bayside Council's Australia Day events started with a 6am Wuri-Rise ceremony Ramsgate Beach that celebrated the resilience and culture of Australia's First Nations Peoples.
This unique event on the foreshore of Botany Bay which included a smoking ceremony attracted 120 residents who were treated to a spectacular sunrise over the bay.
Later in the morning Council welcomed 70 new citizens from 30 different countries at a Citizenship Ceremony in the Rockdale Town Hall.
As part of the ceremony Fred Poole was named Bayside's 2025 Citizen of the Year on the day.
Fred serves the community as President of the Bayside Men's Shed at Kyeemagh, where he leads projects that benefit the local community.
Jessica Henville was named Sportsperson of the Year for her achievements and volunteer work in Surf Life Saving, touch football and netball.
Princess Delany was named Young Citizen of the Year for her community work with the Salvation Army and her involvement in NSW Youth Parliament Program.
More than 1600 residents attended Council's traditional Australia Day family celebration at Botany Pool.
It was a jam-packed day, with the community soaking up the sunshine, live music, inflatable slides, wildlife display and more.
