Australia Day is nearly upon us, which means it’s not long until this year's Family Fun Day at Gordon Park.
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This year you can expect most of the same events and activities that have become staples of the event, along with a few new twists and surprises.
Fun Day schedule:
- 7am – 9.30am: Giinagay Walk - Gordon Park to Plaza and back or walk how far you like. Courtesy bus will operate picking up from drink points along the way. Registration open from 7am at Nambucca Heads carpark.
- 7am – 4pm: Slippery Slide / Jumping Castle / Inflatable Rock Wall /Cup & Saucer Merry-Go -Round / Face Paintng / Fairy Floss, Country Music, Market and Food Stalls, Animal Zoo
- 8.30am: Line Dancers/ Dragon Boat display, Ukulele Players
- 9.45am: Prize Draw for Giinagay Walk
- 10am – 10.45am: Water Events V-Wall to Gordon Park Raft Display (Life Jackets to be worn) Paddle Board Display (Leg ropes must be worn) Swimmers, etc
- 11am: Prize Draw Water Events
- 11am: Crab Race
- 12am – 12.30am: Official opening – Welcome by Dallas Dent Mayor Rhonda Hoban Opening Speech Australia Day Ambassador - Ms Jane Rutter Nambucca Citzen of the Year - Wendy Mills. Nambucca Valley Band providing music
- 1.30pm – 2pm: Children’s Events - Boot throwing, sack races, 3-legged race and egg-spoon races.
- 2pm – 2.30pm: Children’s Lucky Dip
- 3pm: Major Raffle Draw – Tony Stokes / Grahame Beatton / Wendy Mills (RSL)
- *Times are only an indication and are subject to change
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The day will start with the Nambucca Giinagay Walk, the successor to the old Captain Cook Challenge. This new event is not a race, so participants can walk, jog, run or crawl.
“This year we are doing something a little different, instead of the race, it’s a walk, people can go at their own pace. We wanted to be able to include as many people as possible,” organiser Tony Stokes said.
“It doesn't matter if you are young, old, in a pram, mobility scooter, everyone is welcome to participate however they choose.”
The river pageant is back with many aquatic event categories including board and ski paddlers, rafters (team sport), kayakers and swimmers. Everybody is reminded that motorised craft can’t be used.
Another returning event is the crab race and auction. This year there is an added element though, at the conclusion of the race, bought crabs can be taken home.
“It’s essentially the same event; we do it every year, it just has a bit of a twist on it this year, it should be quite the attraction,” Mr Stokes said.
“There will be music, food stalls, a jumping castle, novelty events, water activities, Country Music, boot scooting, normal market stalls, food stalls selling all kinds of food; there is heaps on.”
“It’s a day where young and old can have fun in the sun, and have fun just being an Australian,” he added.
The afternoon will see activities for the children; there will be lots of good old games like sack races and gumboot throwing.
“Enter in any of the activities, and you can win a prize. All the prizes have been donated by the wonderful shopkeepers and business owners of Nambucca; we have everything from vouchers to goods,” Mr Stokes said.
“There is also a major raffle, where the winner can take home a $1000 prize. We have taken phone numbers, so if you happen to miss the raffle for whatever reason, we can call you and let you know the good news.”
“The day is for everyone; everybody is invited to come down and have a good time.”
Check out the above mini gallery to see all the action from previous years.
