Residents and visitors alike are being called on to come together across this region this Australia Day to reflect, respect and celebrate the strength and spirit of our local communities.
Wherever you will be spending Australia Day this year, Tamworth Regional Council has made sure there is a community event nearby for you to take part in.
Council's Manager Events, Barry Harley, said he is excited to be providing more opportunities for people to get involved in. "This Australia Day will be one of the biggest we have seen with events in seven locations across the region", Mr. Harley said. "Thanks to funding from the NSW Government and the National Australia Day Council, plus support from local community groups, there will be something for everyone".
Celebration highlights will include Australia Day Awards ceremonies at Barraba, Manilla, Nundle and Tamworth, a best Aussie hat competition at Bendemeer, fireworks at Kootingal and Tamworth, and a classic Australia Day cricket match at Woolomin.
Here is a breakdown of what is happening across the region this Australia Day:
Barraba – Celebrate your local heroes with the Barraba Australia Day Awards from 6pm at the Barraba Golf Club with Australia Day Ambassador Dr. Tanya Silveira-Price. Then round out the night with music from 7pm until 9:30pm including Brothers Hollow (7pm) and Al Buchan and The Buccaneers (8:15pm).
Bendemeer – It is all going down at Bendemeer Hotel this Australia Day with a Family Fun Day from 10am to 4pm. The Grey Fergie Tractor Muster committee will be making sure things run smoothly including the Best Aussie Hat competition, and Al Buchan and The Buccaneers will be providing entertainment from 1pm.
Kootingal – The Kootingal Recreation Reserve S355 Committee will be hosting an event from 7pm to 9pm in Memory Park. There will be a barbecue, entertainment with Jodie Crosby, and amazing fireworks by Holy Smoke.
Manilla – Manilla residents and visitors will be kicking off celebrations with an event on Australia Day Eve (25 January) at the Manilla Showgrounds. The event, hosted by the Manilla Matters Committee, will be attended by Australia Day Ambassador and homelessness advocate Suzanne Hopman. The program includes the Manilla Australia Day Awards starting at 6pm, followed by entertainment from 7pm including Sally-Anne Whitten & The Rumour Mill from 8pm and Al Buchan and The Buccaneers from 9pm. Celebrations will finish at 10pm.
Nundle – The Nundle Bowling Club will host to the Nundle Australia Day Awards at 5pm with entertainment to follow from 6pm until 9pm. Performers include Lawson Thompson (6pm), Freddie Bailey (6:30pm), and the Peel River Surf Club (7pm).
Woolomin – Join the Woolomin Wombats Cricket Team at the Woolomin Recreation Grounds for a great day of cricket and entertainment. Youth cricket will commence at 9am, followed by seniors cricket from 11am to 4pm. Entertainment will kick off at 1pm and there will be a barbecue available throughout the day.
Tamworth – It's a big day in Tamworth starting with a church service at the Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall at 7:30am, followed by a barbecue breakfast with free egg, sausage and bacon rolls at 8:30am thanks to The Rotary Club of Tamworth Sunrise. At 10am we will officially welcome some new residents to our country and community with the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, and we will celebrate our local heroes with the Tamworth Australia Day Awards. Then in the evening it will be a knock-out Australia Day Concert in Bicentennial Park from 7pm. Artists performing include Sally-Anne Whitten & The Rumor Mill and Party Train. The night will culminate with fireworks at 9:30pm.
The events held in Barraba, Bendemeer, Kootingal, Manilla, Nundle and the Australia Day Concert in Tamworth have been supported using a portion of funding Council received under the NSW Government's Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program. A total of $287,582 was received through the program.
The $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program is part of the NDW Government's $200 million Regional Recovery Package, designed to support economic and social recovery across regional NSW that will create new jobs and support community events, shows and festivals to boost tourism.
The events in Barraba, Bendemeer, Kootingal, Manilla, and Nundle, plus the events held in Woolomin and at the Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall, have also received $10,000 funding from the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.
For more details about Australia Day events across the region visit www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/ausday2023
