Crikey! It’s Australia Day in Gunnedah

January 19, 2022

UPDATE: The Raft & Craft Race has been cancelled following a safety inspection of the river.

Break out the zinc cream, prepare for a sausage sandwich brekky and get your paddles in order – Australia Day is on its way to Gunnedah!

Our celebrations rival anywhere in this wide brown land, with utes draped in the Aussie flag, new citizens taking the oath and a bonza barbie by the pool.

Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Committee chair Cr Rob Hooke said the Australia Day 2022 Event Program was packed tighter than a primary school hat-rack.

“All our favourites are back,” Cr Hooke said. “The Australia Day 2022 Event Program combines the solemnity of the occasion with some cracker events like Aussie Fest 2022 at Donnelly Fields.

“The Australia Day Awards Dinner will be held on January 25, where Gunnedah will pay tribute to those who make an outstanding contribution to our community. Our Australia Day Ambassador, farmer and president of the National Farmers’ Federation Fiona Simson, will share her story as the guest of honour.

“Breeza is the first cab off the rank with its breakfast starting at 8.30, with the Rotary brekky also getting underway in Gunnedah at Anzac Park from 9am.

“Morning events include a church ceremony under the gums at Anzac Park followed by a citizenship ceremony. There’s also Aussie Fest 2022 at Donnelly Fields, Summer Playground with free entry all day at Gunnedah Memorial Pool, and fun and games at Kelvin and Tambar Springs.

“In the afternoon, there’s a free screening of Kangaroo Jack at the Civic, along with free entry all day to the Gunnedah Memorial Pool, the Water Tower Museum and the Dorothea Mackellar Centre. There are other events at venues throughout the Shire – it’s a big Australia Day this year in the villages - and a chance for Curlewis families to jump on a free bus to join the fun at Gunnedah Memorial Pool.

“This is a true-blue chance for all our residents to show their pride in being Australian in a thousand different ways, while still observing COVID-safe advice.”

Take a look at the full Australia Day Events Program here.

Caption: Australia Day in full swing in 2021 as Raft and Craft Race competitors cross the line.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.