Ararat Rural City celebrated Australia Day last Sunday, with multiple events held across the municipality. The 2025 Australia Day Awards, an annual event which recognising the achievements of outstanding community members, along with welcoming four new citizens at a Citizenship Ceremony, were held at Alexandra Community Centre. Later in the afternoon, community event, ‘Party in the Park’, was held at Alexandra Gardens, featuring a free BBQ lunch provided by the Ararat Rotary Club, a roaming balloon artist and free ice cream. Free pool parties were also held at Ararat, Lake Bolac and Willaura Outdoor Pools. The 2025 Australia Day Awards recipients were: Citizen of the Year - Julie McDougallJulie McDougall was awarded Citizen of the Year for her outstanding contributions to Ararat disability support centre McGregor House, and Pinnacle Inc. Trained as a special education teacher in Melbourne, Julie moved to Ararat in the early 1970s and quickly became an advocate for improved disability support services. Julie was instrumental in establishing Ararat's first disability support centre through dedicated fundraising efforts.
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