Australia Day - 26 January

Each year Port Macquarie-Hastings Council celebrates Australia Day with a range of free activities throughout the Hastings for the community to enjoy.

Australia Day Awards Ceremony

Start the Australia Day celebrations early and attend the presentation of the 2013 Australia Day Awards.

• Friday January 25, 6:00 - 8:00pm
• Town Green, Port Macquarie
• Recognise the 27 nominees and winners in four categories; Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year.
• Mayor Peter Besseling will officiate the ceremony with Australia Day Ambassador Karen Banton.
• A free community event, all welcome

Australia Day activities taking place on Saturday January 26, 2013 include;

Laurieton, Laurieton United Services Club

• Breakfast hosted by Rotary and entertainment by Hastings District Highland Pipe band and Camden Haven Community Band
• Official flag raising ceremony and Australia Day address commences 7:00am

 Camden Haven Program of Events (689KB)

Wauchope, Bain Park

• Competitions, face painting and displays commence from 8:30am
• The official ceremony including citizenship ceremony at 10:30am

 Wauchope Program of Events (805KB)

Port Macquarie, Town Green

• Handicraft, market and food stalls from 8:00am till 4:00pm
• Games including sack races and egg / spoon races between 10 - 12pm
• Boat flotilla on the Hastings River
• Official ceremony including Australia Day address and Citizenship ceremony from 3:15pm
• Port Macquarie's Got Talent quest between 5:00pm and 7:00pm

 Port Macquarie Program of Events (657KB)

Moonlight Movie, Town Green

• The Sapphires - It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group, The Sapphires entertain the US troops in Vietnam.
• Children's games and entertainment commence at 6:00pm with the movie screening from around 8:15pm
• Bring picnic rug and chairs

2013 Australia Day Ambassador for Port Macquarie-Hastings:

Karen Banton - CEO Bernie Banton Foundation

Karen is a strong advocate on behalf of asbestos disease sufferers and their families. Since the death of her husband, Karen has fervently continued Bernie's legacy. She has now become the public face for the cause and the ongoing fight for justice.

Karen cared for Bernie as he suffered pleural plaques, asbestos related pleural disease, asbestosis and she ultimately nursed him as he bravely endured mesothelioma. Her comprehensive understanding of how these diseases adversely affect sufferers and their families is evident in the compassionate manner in which she deals with all who are touched by these insidious conditions.