Reflect, respect and celebrate Australia Day 2024

Residents and visitors to the region are being called on to come together this Australia Day to reflect, respect and celebrate the strength and spirit of our local communities.

Wherever you will be spending Australia Day this year, Tamworth Regional Council has made sure there is a community event nearby for you to take part in.

Council’s Events Manager, Barry Harley, said he is excited to be providing more opportunities for people to get involved in. “This Australia Day will be a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate our local heroes and enjoy some family fun across the region”, Mr. Harley said. “Thanks to funding from the National Australia Day Council, plus support from local community groups, there will be something for everyone”.

Celebration highlights will include Australia Day Awards ceremonies at Barraba and Manilla with the Australia Day Ambassador Mr John Lee OAM and Councillors plus an art exhibition at Bendemeer, fireworks at the conclusion of the Celebrate Australia concert in Bicentennial Park, and a classic Australia Day cricket match at Woolomin.

Here is a breakdown of what is happening across the region this Australia Day:

Barraba – Celebrate your local heroes with the Barraba Australia Day Awards from 6pm at the Barraba Golf Club with Australia Day Ambassador Mr John Lee OAM and Cr Stephen Mears. Then round out the night with music from 7.30pm from Jarred Taylor and Band.

Bendemeer – It is all going down at Bendemeer Hotel this Australia Day with a Family Fun Day from 10am to 3pm. The official address will be followed with entertainment, family fun games and an art exhibition.

Kootingal – The Kootingal and District Lions Club will be hosting an Aussie breakfast in Memory Park at 8am followed by an Australia Day Address.  

Manilla – Manilla Lions Club will be hosting a breakfast in Pioneer Park from 8am, come along and grab something to eat before the awards ceremony starts at 9am. The ceremony will be attended by Australia Day Ambassador Mr John Lee OAM and Cr Mark Rodda and followed by live entertainment.

Nundle – The Nundle Bowling Club will host the Australia Day celebrations from 6pm with entertainment from Sally-Anne Whitten and the Rumour Mill.

Woolomin – Join the Woolomin Wombats Cricket Team at the Woolomin Recreation Grounds for a great day of social cricket and entertainment starting at 11am.

Tamworth – It’s a big day in Tamworth starting with a church service at the Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall at 7am, followed by a barbecue breakfast with free egg, sausage and bacon rolls at 8am thanks to Peel Valley Lions Club. At 9am we will officially welcome some new residents to our country and community with the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, and we will celebrate our local heroes with the Tamworth Australia Day Awards. Then in the evening it will be a knock-out Celebrate Australia Concert in Bicentennial Park from 7pm. The night will culminate with fireworks at 9:30pm.

All of these events have been assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

For more details about Australia Day events across the region visit www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/ausday2024