Liverpool Celebrates Australia Day

Liverpool celebrated Australia Day by firing up the barbie in Bigge Park, welcoming new citizens and conferring honours on residents who are making amazing contributions to the city.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the city celebrated its diverse multiculturalism in many ways, but especially by uniting to celebrate "the best country in the world, Australia".

"Australia Day is not about the nation, it is about the people who make the nation," he said.

"It is a land of opportunities that welcomes new residents from all nations and gives them a safe and harmonious place to live."

Australia Day Ambassador Lottie Dalziel warmly welcomed the new citizens and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott joined the celebrations, telling the new citizens they had made the right choice.

Liverpool City Council awarded eight Australia Day awards, in recognition of some significant contributors to Liverpool.

"All those who have received awards have collectively donated hundreds of hours to the community and have made Liverpool a better place to be. That's why we have recognised them," Mannoun said.

Both Mayor Mannoun and Mr Abbot then got behind the barbeque and served free sausages to those who attended the citizenship and award ceremony in the morning.

In the evening, thousands celebrated Australia Day in Bigge Park where they grazed on delicious variations of established dishes plus some exciting new ones, including food from Mexico, the Philippines, Bolivia, and the Balkans.

Entertainment and live music ran from 5pm until 8pm as a lead-in to the movie - the comedy Kangaroo Jack.

There were also games and water play in the park for children as well as face painting, finger dot painting, boomerang craft making, and garden games as well as Water Wars from 5.30 to 7.30pm.