See the list: Where you can party for Australia Day
Plenty of Australia Day events are still being held despite Covid – and it’s not too late to catch this spectacular Elder Park lights show. See what else is on in our searchable table.
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Councils throughout the state are battling to keep Australia Day celebrations on track, with many modified or cancelled.
All those going ahead will require strict Covid-19 restrictions, including masks, social distancing, hand sanitation and attendance caps.
Burnside is one of many councils which has moved its ceremony outside, and restricted attendance to invitation only.
CEO Chris Cowley said the changes would allow 80 people to celebrate their new citizenship.
“We will be holding the annual Australia Day ceremony at Hazelwood Park, with 80 people from 25 countries becoming Australian citizens and four awards given,’’ he said.
Many councils this year require bookings and have organised live broadcasts.
Some smaller councils have cancelled their events.
What are your council’s plans? See our searchable list below.
So far councils that have cancelled their celebrations, or are not allowing public to attend, include West Torrens, Tea Tree Gully, Roxby Downs, Mitcham, Orroroo Carrieton, Onkaparinga, Campbelltown, and Berri Barmera.
Most catering – usually free breakfasts – have also been canned.
For the state’s major events, Adelaide City Council, working with the Australia Day Council, had asked people to book for its 8am Smoking Ceremony with Kaurna leaders at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wana on January 26.
At Elder Park/Tarntanya Wana the Aus Lights On the River event, which is on tonight, does not require bookings. The new immersive experience created using sound, lighting and visual effects, is at Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama).
Daily activities at Rundle Mall’s Gawler Place Canopy also do not require bookings.
Many councils have warned policing of Covid-19 restrictions will be closely followed.
A City of Victor Harbor spokeswoman said: “Our Australia Day Celebration event is going ahead as planned and the event generally attracts around 250-300 people outdoors”.
“Covid marshals will be roaming to monitor social distancing.”
Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said the council had avoided Covid-19 dramas by changing the location to the more manageable Princes Park on Nixon Terrace in Gawler.
The ceremonies will be broadcast live on a big screen.
“With the entire park being fenced, this ensures we can still hold an event that recognises and celebrates the wonderful contributions our award recipients have made to Gawler, in a Covid-safe setting,” she said
Whyalla has been hit hard by Covid-19 and is struggling to run events. Only a small gathering is planned.
City of light shines on Australia Day
- Anna Vlach
South Australians will experience Australia Day as never before at Aus Lights on the River.
A new immersive experience created using sound, lighting and visual effects, it has been staged nightly at Elder Park (Tarntanya Wama) and finishes tonight.
The spectacle is the centrepiece of a seven-day program of free events presented by the Australia Day Council of South Australia that have been running all week.
The events, which will be managed in accordance with current SA Health Covid-Safe measures, have all been held outdoors in well-spaced areas.
The council’s chief executive, Jan Chorley, said it had worked closely with First Nations groups and multicultural communities on the program.
“It’s an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to deepen our connection to nature and belonging to Country,” she said.
“Our increasingly fragile world reminds us of the extraordinary beauty, richness, and expansiveness of our great country and the incredible diversity of its peoples.”
Aus Lights on the River will include performances by the Tjarutja dance collective projected onto the River Torrens and AirLume, a giant inflatable shape illuminated with artwork that visitors can walk through.
They will also be able to visit Evelyn Roth’s inflatable Nylon Zoo featuring native animals and go swimming with virtual fish while learning the traditional story of the River Torrens.
Visitors will also be able to watch South Australians tell “Our Story” on the Adelaide Festival Centre’s shells.
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