Australia Day Activities

Join in the council’s Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake at Reddall Reserve from 7am to 11am on Saturday.

• Breakfast served from 7am until 10am for $3 with proceeds from sales going to charity.
• Australia Day Ambassador Address 7.45am.
• Citizen of the Year – 7.50am.
• Sand modelling competition – registration from 8am to 8.30am.
• Citizenship ceremony - 8.30am.
• Live bands.
• Children’s activities – including Matilda’s Farmyard Nursery and free face painting.

Being Australian means something different to all of us and to celebrate Australia Day, The National Australia Day Council has put together some ideas to get you into the spirit of the day:

•Dress in green and gold and host or attend an Australia Day event like the Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake;
•Host an Aussie icons barbeque;
•Say G’Day to everyone you see;
•Plant a native Golden Wattle;
•Organise a backyard cricket game with the neighbours;
•Watch DVDs of great Australian films like Gallipoli, The Castle, Two Hands or Picnic at HangingRock;
•Take a walk or picnic in your nearest national park;
•Read a classic Australian book;
•Play great Aussie music all day.

The Lake Times asked some of Shellharbour’s citizens what being Australian meant to them:

Being an Australian means being a citizen (albeit naturalised) of the greatest country in the world. Not forgetting the peace we enjoy, freedom of expression and ability to share my Christian faith.
– Eric Taylor, Shellharbour City Centre Anglican Church

Being Australian is about showing our pride by celebrating Australia’s easy going, laid back and fun loving nature. Wave the Aussie flag, wear your Aussie hat, put zinc on your nose and head to the beach for an Aussie barbeque with a couple of coldies. Enjoying it with family, friends and of course the flies.
– Alison Bridge, Brittany McMillan and Biserka Zufic Tourism Shellharbour

To be Australian is to be one of the luckiest people in the world. As our anthem proudly declares, we have beauty rich and rare and we enjoy freedoms and privileges that many people throughout the world can only dream about. Australia is the land of opportunity and for many migrants like myself, Australia has well and truly delivered on the promise of a better life.
– Cr David Hamilton, Mayor, Shellharbour City

Australia, being an island continent, is remote from those nations living in fear or distrust of their next-door neighbours. Australians are confident of growing old gracefully in a country free of political hostilities and instability.
– Ron Wilson, National Seniors Illawarra Branch

Being Australian to me means a new life in a country where opportunities are beyond everyone’s belief. You can bring out your ingenuity and capability and use it to your best advantage for yourself, family and community.
– Tony Moore, German Club

What makes Australia great is the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous Australia; the vibrancy and diversity that immigrants have brought to this country; the beauty of our vast landscape; and finally the Australian people, government and laws. It is an enormous privilege to be an Australian.
– Lylea McMahon, Member for Shellharbour

Australia Day rekindles Australia’s greatest asset which is a fair go for all. It celebrates the fact that Australia encompasses a broad range of cultures and skills and that we can all contribute to the democratic and free society that we live in today. This is what makes Australia such a unique country.
– John Clune, Principal, Tullimbar Public School

What is great about Australia is that Australia is a welcoming place. We love working in this region because we love the experience of interacting with all sorts of people, from a wide variety of backgrounds, beliefs and experiences.
– Maree Willett, Illawarra Multicultural Services Inc.

Having travelled widely, I am in no doubt Australia is a blessed country, if not the most blessed. “The lucky country” is a phrase not to be taken lightly.
– Ian Wilson, Warrigal Care

I recently spent two weeks riding a bicycle overseas. This made me realise just how lucky we are to live in Australia where we have safe roads, clean drinking water, fantastic beaches and an excellent education system.
– Jai Waters, Associate Director, TAFE NSW