Australia Day: What each Sydney council is doing to celebrate
Australia Day in Sydney began with a Dawn reflection on the Harbour foreshore and no matter where you live, there’s something to do today. Search your council.
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Australia Day celebrations might look quite similar to last year’s, with the reality of living with Covid still very much a part of our everyday life.
But social distancing doesn’t stop us coming together to celebrate being Aussie.
No matter where you live around Greater Sydney, there’s something on nearby to help you celebrate our national day — from community festivals to movie nights and even a few rounds of fireworks.
So if you’re still not sure what to do to, here are some Covid-safe events hosted by councils across Greater Sydney.
City of Sydney
As always, a dozen Australia Day events in the heart of the city will keep revellers busy. The morning began in Barangaroo with the WulgOra Morning Ceremony or the Dawn Reflection at the Opera House, before heading to The Rocks or Darling Harbour for food stalls and festivities. Sydney Harbour will play host to the Ferrython, Tall Ships Race, Harbour Parade, Australia Day Regatta and aerial displays from the ADF, before 9pm fireworks conclude the celebrations.
Bayside Council
Bayside Council is hosting a fun family day at Botany Aquatic Centre from 11am to 3pm, open to all residents wanting to respect and commemorate this Australia Day. Locals can expect water games, cultural crafts and indigenous dance performances.
Blue Mountains Council
What better way to celebrate national pride than by enjoying the Australian Gnome Convention, which has been held on Australia Day every year since 2004
in the Glenbrook area of Blue Mountains National Park? There will be a flag-raising ceremony, market, various stalls, free family entertainment and activities, children’s rides, and, of course, a gnome competition.
Campbelltown Council
Campbelltown has unfortunately cancelled Australia Day celebrations. But to give families the opportunity to enjoy their public holiday, the council is giving away 300 free passes to the local leisure centre to be used between January 26 and 28. Find out how you can enter to win here.
City of Canterbury-Bankstown
Locals are spoiled for choice with four pool parties featuring DJs, kids’ rides and sausage sizzles at four different leisure centres: Revesby (Max Parker), Birrong, Canterbury and Roselands.
Cumberland Council
Holroyd Gardens in Merrylands is putting on quite the night, with something for everyone. A full program of guests will take the main stage, including local musicians Jonah Hammond and BoomChild. For the kids, there are Bluey and Bingo Shows at 6pm, 6.40pm, 7.20pm and 8pm, as well as a screening of the movie Babe starting at 6.30pm. Then, at 8.50pm, enjoy a dazzling display of fireworks to close the evening.
City of Fairfield
City of Fairfield is providing a range of opportunities for residents to celebrate Australia Day, with free access at both Fairfield and Prariewood leisure centres, as well as at Fairfield Youth and Community Centre between 10am to 3pm. Later in the evening, Cabramatta’s Whitlam Library will host Welcome to Jamming, an evening of musical exploration, from 6pm-8pm for people aged 13 and above.
City of Hawkesbury
Hawkesbury Council is hosting a relaxed community picnic and barbecue, with a RAAF flyover at 7.30pm and a firework display closing the evening at 9pm.
The Hills Shire Council
The council will be hosting its annual Australia Day Vibes event, which includes live entertainment, buskers, coffee and ice cream carts at Bella Vista Farm. There are also three other picnic locations in the area — at Castle Hill Heritage Park, Wisemans Ferry and Annangrove Park.
Hornsby Shire
There’s a special Australia Day concert in Hornsby Park, featuring performances from Gawura Cultural Immersions, The Funky Monkeys and The Lily Guerrero Band. There will also be food trucks on site, so bring your picnic blankets and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of good food and entertainment.
Hunters Hill Council
Residents of Hunters Hill and its surrounds are invited to enjoy a free screening of beloved Aussie hit Red Dog at the Hunters Hill Open Air Cinema in Bedlam Bay Park. There will be food trucks on site and cocktails to purchase. Movie starts at sunset (about 8.20pm) and tickets must be purchased, with postcode required to make a booking.
Ku-ring-gai Council
Catch a screening of Australian-made movie Oddball in a family and dog-friendly celebration at St Ives Showground. Pre-screening entertainment will include a performance by indigenous dance group Freeman Dancers, and former X Factor contestants Jess & Matt.
Tickets are limited so book beforehand.
Lane Cove Council
A Citizenship Ceremony will kick off celebrations, followed by live music at Lane Cove Plaza from 11am. The Australian Open will then be streamed at The Canopy later in the day.
Liverpool City Council
Liverpool will host a two-day extravaganza to ring in Australia Day at Bigge Park, including food trucks, live music, movie screenings and even cocktail tastings. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket for festivities, which run between 5pm and 10pm.
Mosman Council
A local Citizenship Ceremony will be held.
Northern Beaches Council
Australia Day will become a five-day-long celebration on the northern beaches. There’s a food truck party on January 22 in Balgowlah Heights, an Aussie-made market in Dee Why the day after, and an open air cinema in Mona Vale on January 25 — before pool parties and festivities kick off on January 26 across the local government area.
Parramatta City Council
Parramatta Park’s an all-day Australia Day party, including a hot-air balloon display, a barbecue competition, vintage cars and kids activities, workshops and amusement rides has been postponed. A rescheduled date will be announced soon.
Randwick City Council
Food trucks, live entertainment and ice cream are on the cards at Kensington Park from noon to 4pm. Later, an indigenous performance by a local elder and band will be held at the La Perouse Museum.
Ryde City Council
Family films will be screened on January 25 and 26 at Ryde Park, and Australia Day fireworks will be set off in Meadowbank and Ryde at 9pm. Bookings are essential.
Strathfield Council
Strathfield Park will host a barbecue, jumping castle, face painting and children’s activities.
A family movie will also be streamed later in the evening.
Sutherland Shire
Pop-up concerts, roving performers, light displays in major parks, and DJs at local leisure centres will kick off the Shire’s Australia Day celebrations. A sunset indigenous cultural ceremony will also be held.
Willoughby Council
An Australia Day Awards ceremony will be held at The Concourse in Chatswood, including performances from local community groups.
Wollongong Council
While the food and market stalls, entertainment and kids’ rides will be missing this year, Wollongong’s Covid-safe celebration will still include 9pm fireworks and a HARS flyover at 5.15pm. All Australia Day Awards and the Citizenship Ceremony will be held online this year.
NO COUNCIL RUN EVENTS:
Inner West Council, Georges River Council, Mosman Council, North Sydney Council, Penrith City Council, Waverley Council, Woollahra Council.
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