Along with the announcement of Joel Pilgrim, founder of WOW, as Kempsey Shire’s Australia Day 2018 ambassador, a range of celebrations are planned across the Macleay.
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From the official Australia Day ceremony to true-blue Aussie barbecues to thong-tossing and mullet competitions as well as dress up parties, here’s some of the festivities planned for the 26th:
Annual events
Australia Day Awards Ceremony
Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell and Mr Pilgrim will present the Australia Day Awards on January 25 (Australia Day eve) at the Slim Dusty Centre. The Australia Day Awards ceremony will kick off at 5pm and will include a Welcome to Country, a citizenship ceremony and announcement of the winners of Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Group of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
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Crescent Head Lions Club Australia Day BBQ
The Crescent Head Lions Club will host its traditional barbecue breakfast for a gold coin donation at the Crescent Head Rotunda from 7:30am. The winners of the Crescent Head Citizen of the Year, Young Achiever and Sportsperson of the Year Awards will also be announced.
South West Rocks Lions Club sausage sizzle
The South West Rocks Lions Club will host a free sausage sizzle and a cup of tea or coffee from 7:30am to 10am at the Horseshoe Bay Shelter Shed, located at Horseshoe Bay Reserve, Livingstone Street.
Pubs and clubs
A range of pubs and clubs across the Macleay Valley will be hosting Australia Day parties so be sure to check in with your local watering hole for some true-blue Aussie Day shenanigans. Here’s what some of the local venues have planned:
Willawarrin Hotel
Friday, 26 Jan: Australia Day celebrations at the Willawarrin Hotel. Live music planned. Come along dressed as your favourite Aussie Icon. Prizes for Best Dressed Bogan, Best Mullet (hair). Join us for a Lamb on the Spit lunch, thong throwing competition, and lots, lots more.Then sit back or get up and rock to a great Aussie band from 2pm. A Sao eating comp will also be held. Accommodation available at the Willa or free camping at the showground. A courtsey bus will be available if numbers allow between Kempsey and Willawarrin and surrounds.
Hat Head Bowling & Recreation Club
Friday 26 Jan, 1pm start: Hat Head Bowling Club will be putting on Our next event will be Australia Day at Hat Head Bowling Club starting at 1pm. There will be thong throwing, whip cracking and bowls competitions, kid's activities and competitions, cake stall and chocolate wheel. Soundscape will be performing from 6pm. We are asking for donations of prizes from businesses or families to the value of $50 for the chocolate wheel. These will be acknowledged at the event for each spin. Please message us if you are able to donate something.
South West Rocks, Seabreeze hotel
Friday 26 Jan, 12pm – 10pm: Live music from Liam Moylan, Crab Races, Thong Quoits Throwing Competition, Aussie Works Burger!
Saturday 27 Jan: Triple J Hottest 100, live music from The Vault in the lounge from 7pm.
Sunday 28 Jan: Triple J Hottest 200-100, live music from Hayley Grace.
South West Rocks Country Club
Firday 26 Jan, 12pm – 3pm: Family fun day including jumping castle, fairy floss, face painting, Australia Day trivia, toss the thong competition, Australia Day fancy dress (great prizes), games and races for kids, sausage sizzle. Richie Gudgeon and his band playing in the marin bar from 2pm – 6pm.
Crescent Head Country Club
Friday, 26 Jan, 2pm: Australia Day entertainment with the Tim Pringle duo. Tim Pringle is a full time professional singer and has opened shows for Kate Ceberano and Christine Anu, played shows with members of Tina Turner’s band, the Choriboys & Rose Tattoo and performed live with Paul Kelly’s drummer, James Morrison’s violin player and Sting’s guitarist. He won the number two wedding singer in Australia in 2015.
