Bega Valley Shire Council invites the shire's residents to its Australia Day celebrations on Sunday 26 January with a free breakfast at 7.30am in the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre in Bega.
At 8.30am, we will recognise and celebrate the achievements of our 2025 Citizens of the Year and Bega Valley Medallion winners, and welcome our newest Australians.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce that our 2025 Citizen of the Year is Brent Whiter, our Senior Citizen of the Year is Robert Weston and our Young Citizen of the Year is Joshua Payne," Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said.
"We are also awarding Bega Valley Medallions to five outstanding individuals who have served the community over a number of years: Mary Pearce, Anne Haig, Nicole Bray, Joanna Oastler and Veronica Williams.
"Following our awards, we will welcome 23 new Australians at an official Australian Citizenship Ceremony.
"Our new citizens are from Brazil, Germany, Scotland, United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Sweden, Ireland, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Nepal, New Zealand and Northern Ireland, joining thousands of other Australians who are celebrating their citizenship.
"They will contribute their skills and cultural diversity to our local community and enrich it through their work and participation in community life."
Mayor Fitzpatrick emphasised that Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on our history, honour the stories of others, and celebrate our nation, its achievements and most importantly, its people.
"One of the defining features of this country is mateship, which at its core is about friendship, kindness and support," he said.
"It's the unique way Australians welcome and embrace each other, offering a hand when it's needed and sticking by each other through thick and thin.
"Friendship, support and the ability to appreciate our differences bring us together and make us stronger as a community."
Mayor Fitzpatrick said this year we welcome back Australia Day Ambassador, Catriona Rowntree to our celebrations.
"We are delighted at the prospect of having Catriona back in our beautiful shire. Her first visit here was as Australia Day Ambassador in 2014 and again after the Black Summer bushfires."
Catriona Rowntree earned the title of 'Australia's Most Travelled Woman' after more than 28 years at the helm of popular Australian travel show, Getaway. She has worked on many other TV projects since then and published three books.
"Entertainment on the day will be provided by local musician Harper Jessop and the Bega District Band, and the event will be broadcast live on the Bega District News Facebook page."
