Let’s celebrate together: Australia Day 2023

Published: 20 Jan 2023 12:01pm

Wagga Wagga’s Civic Centre cultural precinct will host the city’s Australia Day 2023 community events, bringing together a new First Nations opening event, awards ceremony, free community breakfast, and Citizenship Ceremony.

‘Mawang ngiyanhi bala Yarruwala – Together we are Strong and Mighty’, a free community event at the Wollundry Lagoon Amphitheatre, will be presented on Tuesday 24 January from 5pm.

This community event has been organised by Wollundry Dreaming, in partnership with the Australia Day 2023 Community Committee, supported by Council. It will open with a smoking ceremony followed by family-friendly activities including a cultural walk, as well as a free community concert from 7pm.

Community members are encouraged to come along, bring their own chair and picnic, and enjoy a line-up of First Nations artists and performers.

The city’s Australia Day 2023 Awards Ceremony will be held at the Civic Theatre on the evening of Wednesday 25 January and will be emceed by  Miss Wagga Wagga 2022 Jessikah McCarthy.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga  Councillor Dallas Tout said this year, residents will be able to watch in-person the announcement of our Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Environmental Citizen of the Year, Ted Ryder Sports Memorial, and Walk of Honour inductee.

“We welcome residents who would like to come along to the 2023 ceremony to show their support for and acknowledge the work that the award nominees do for our community,” Cr Tout said.

“The aim of the awards is to recognise the outstanding contributions to the local community made by hardworking individuals in our community who devote their time and energy into making Wagga Wagga a better place to live for everyone.”

The Australia Day 2023 Community Committee supported by Council, has unveiled its plans for this year’s Australia Day event, and is committed to hosting a family friendly day for everyone.

On Thursday 26 January, residents will have the chance to share in the Australia Day activities at the Victory Memorial Gardens from 7am, with a free breakfast for the community, the Australia Day 2023 Citizenship Ceremony, and a program of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Councillor Tout encourages people to bring along a picnic rug and chairs, and to mark the day in a way that’s meaningful to them.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to reflect, respect and celebrate the significant contributions that everyone makes to our community,” Cr Tout said.

The Wagga Wagga Multicultural Council will be providing both halal and vegetarian breakfast food options and the members of Kooringal Rotary will be cooking a barbecue breakfast from 7am to 9am.

There will be a live sandcastle sculpture demonstration where attendees can participate in creating their own sandcastle sculpture, a thong throwing competition, along with face painting and Australian themed biscuit decorating workshops for everyone to enjoy.

The Australia Day 2023 Citizenship Ceremony will commence at 9am, where the National Anthem will be performed by the four finalists in the National Anthem Competition: Chloe Swaffield, Gretel McDonnell, Caitlan Hall and Milly Golland.

The finalists will be accompanied by the Australian Army Band Kapooka.

📷 Images from 2022 Australia Day activities in Wagga Wagga

For more details about Wagga Wagga’s Australia Day 2023 activities:

Australia Day