Each year, the Walcha community comes together to celebrate Australia Day in McHatton Park, and recognise some of the locals who have made a special contribution to the district.
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This year, citizenship awards will be presented to local heroes and champions: the Walcha Citizen of the Year; the Environmental Citizen/Organisation of the Year (a new award); the Sportsperson and Junior Sportsperson, the Oldest Citizen and the Young Citizen, and the Organisation/Community Group/Event of the Year.
Who’s been nominated is still under wraps.
The day promises to be exciting, with fun activities and events for all the family to enjoy.
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It starts with breakfast in the park from 7.30 to 8.20am. The Lions Club is providing sausages, bacon and eggs, and the Quota Club juice, tea, coffee, and damper. The Rotary Club of Walcha has set up the park for the event.
The official ceremony starts at 8.20am, with a welcome from Walcha Australia Day committee president Aurora Reilly.
Aboriginal elder Fred Reid will give the welcome to country at 8.25, and the Walcha fire brigade will raise the flag.
Australia Day Ambassador Steve Widders will deliver the Australia Day address. He is keen to encourage his fellow Australians to embrace the freedom of choice, the high standard of living, and the opportunities available to all Australians old and new.
Mr Widders descended from the Kamillaroi and Anaiwan people of Northern NSW. Declared blind in 1990, he has turned personal adversity and challenge into a full and productive life.
He has been an Aboriginal community liaison officer, a member of NAIDOC and the NSW Disability Council, Rotary president-elect, and involved with local youth groups, disability advocacy, men’s health, Aboriginal community, and leadership development.
He completed the 96 km Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea in 2011, and has ridden tandem bicycles from Brisbane to Sydney and across New England to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, active ageing, and people with disabilities.
To finish the ceremony, local artist Julia Griffin will present prizes to the winners of the children’s art-drawing competition.
Lance Partridge – former Walcha Australia Day citizen of the year, and Walcha Musical Society stalwart – has organised free games to keep the children entertained.
There will be entertainment and singing. The local troupe from Destiny Dance studio will showcase their talents; Howard Greenwood will provide the music; and Phoebe Imberger will sing. The Walcha Historical Society will have a display of times gone by.