By Parker McKenzie
Australia Day in the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley will see new citizens’ ceremonies and awards handed out to exceptional members of the local community.
On January 26, Yarra Ranges will host an invite-only citizenship ceremony before announcing the recipients of its Australia Day Awards, who were nominated by the community.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the awards will be attended by state and federal members of parliament, with a large list of awards being handed out.
“We’ve had a really good group of nominations this year,” he said.
“In terms of the Australia Day discussions, it’s business as usual for us at the council.”
The Australia Day Awards feature categories for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Environmental Achiever of the Year, Ken McIntosh Memorial Award (Young Environmental Achiever), Community Group of the Year, Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ian De LA Rue Award for Community Achievement.
Yarra Ranges Council has yet to make any social media posts about Australia Day, aside from promoting nominations opening for the awards in December 2022.
The Rotary Club of Wandin is hosting an Australia Day celebration at the Wandin North Oval from 11am to 4pm on January 26, featuring a sausage sizzle, inflatable slide, face painting, games, activities and more.
Knox City Council will also host an invite-only citizenship ceremony on Thursday 26 January and its own Australia Day Awards, featuring awards for the Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Local Hero, Environmentalist of the Year, Volunteer of the year and Citizen of the Year.
Cardinia Council will host an Australia Day event at Alma Treloar Reserve Amphiteatre on Thursday 26 January from 8.45pm. The Reserve is located at 77 Pakenham Road, Cockatoo. Its own Australia Day Awards will be handed out at an invite-only ceremony on 25 January, and a citizenship ceremony will be held on Australia Day in Pakenham.
