By Alana Mitchelson
Australia Day celebrations will be in full swing across the shire on Thursday 26 January.
The Australia Day award winners will be announced in Pakenham, followed by a citizenship ceremony.
This year’s awards include the Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year.
There will be free family fun activities from 11.30am with face painting, a magician, balloonist, animal farm and inflatable playground.
Cardinia Shire mayor Brett Owen encouraged community members to take a moment this Australia Day to reflect on what it means to be Australian.
“We live in the lucky country, and indeed this is true for Cardinia Shire. It takes people of all ages and backgrounds to bring together the diverse wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm that makes our community such a welcoming and wonderful place to live and work,” Mr Owen said.
“This Australia Day, embrace what it means to be Australian – connect with your family, friends, and neighbours.”
Here is a list of Australia Day events across the shire:
Lakeside, Pakenham
Cardinia Cultural Centre
11am to 2.30pm
Free sausage sizzle.
Berwick
Pioneers Park
10am to 3pm
The Rotary Club of Berwick presents a celebration featuring musical performances, children’s activities, flag-raising ceremony, food stalls, whip-cracking and much more. Visit emergency service vehicles, the wood-chop event and Cobb and Co horse and carriage rides.
Kooweerup
Kooweerup Community Centre, Cochrane Park
8am to 10am
Free breakfast and awards ceremony to celebrate and reward local volunteers.
Bunyip
Bunyip Hall
10am to 11.30am
Bunyip and District Citizen of the Year announcement followed by morning tea and sausage sizzle.
Cockatoo
Alma Treloar Reserve, 73 Healesville-Kooweerup Road, Cockatoo
8.30am to 11am
Enjoy a free breakfast after the Australia Day ceremony, followed by community award presentations, sing-alongs, bands and entertainment.
Lang Lang
From 9am, Lang Lang Memorial Hall, 135 McDonalds Track
Ceremony and citizenship presentations.
Pools
12pm to 2pm
Games, prizes and a sausage sizzle at Pakenham Outdoor Pool, Kooweerup Outdoor Pool, Garfield Swimming Pool and Emerald Lake Park wading pool.
For more information, visit cardinialeisure.com.au
