Local heroes celebrated and new citizens welcomed across the Central Highlands

Across the region, four Australia Day Awards ceremonies and the Central Highlands citizenship ceremony took place last week.

‘Our Australia Day Awards ceremony is a day of celebrating community members that help to make the Central Highlands a thriving and welcoming place to live,’ Mayor Kerry Hayes said.

‘With over 70 Australia Day Award nominations submitted, this was our best year yet for recognising local heroes, talent and volunteers.

‘It’s terrific to see our community getting behind an event like this consistently. We had over 300 people attend our Central ceremony, with 180 attendees in the East, 70 attending the North celebrations and 60 in the South.

‘BBQ breakfasts, children’s activities, and, of course, the thong throwing competition in Tieri were all a big hit.

‘Our Australia Day Awards ceremony is also a great opportunity for us to give a warm welcome to our newest citizens and acknowledge the importance of what it means to become a member of the Australian community,’ Mayor Hayes continued.

Mayor Hayes said citizenship is the common bond uniting all Australians, whether you are an Australian by birth or by choice.

Thousands of Australians affirmed their citizenship, bringing communities together in regional and metropolitan Australia.

‘I congratulate the 27 new Australian citizens on making their commitment to Australia and thank everyone who came to the celebration to make it special,’ he said.

You can view the winners of the Australia Day Awards here.

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