In 2023 Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout presented 75 people with citizenship certificates; in 2024 another 40 people will become Australian citizens. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.
Families will have a selection of four Australia Day community events to enjoy around Wagga Wagga this year, kicking off with the Australia Day Awards to be announced on 25 January.
Eleven local residents have been nominated across four categories – Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Walk of Honour and Environmental Citizen of the Year – and will be announced at the ceremony.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said council was delighted to have received the nominations.
“These nominees have worked tirelessly, devoting time and energy into making Wagga Wagga a better place to live for all,” Cr Tout said.
“It is wonderful to see so many residents being recognised for the outstanding work they do for our community.”
Free general admission tickets to the ceremony are available through the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre booking office in person, over the phone by calling 02 6926 9688 or by visiting the theatre’s website here.
Also on 25 January, the Riverside precinct will host the community event Murun-dhu – ‘I Live, I Breathe’, at 6 pm.
The event has been organised by Mawang Gaway with support from First Nations individuals and organisations, in partnership with the Australia Day 2024 Community Committee and supported by Wagga Wagga City Council.
The event will open with a smoking ceremony, followed by family-friendly activities and a concert featuring First Nations musicians and artists including rapper Ridzyray, with Dookie and Lollipop Lawrence.
On Australia Day, Friday 26 January, residents will have the chance to share in a variety of events and activities.
A free breakfast for the community, with halal and vegetarian options, will be provided at the Wagga Beach precinct from 7 am. It will be accompanied by a sand sculpture demonstration, thong-throwing competition, live music, and a trapeze performance.
Following the breakfast the city will welcome 40 new Australian citizens at a community citizenship ceremony also being held at the morning event. The ceremony will be held at 9 am on the main stage at Wagga Beach, where the national anthem will be performed by Wagga Wagga students Shae Sullivan, Lucy Green, and Sophia Eddies, who were finalists in the National Anthem Competition.
After the citizenship ceremony, residents can take a short walk to the CSU Riverina Playhouse to experience a series of First Nations films, documentaries, and animations with compelling narratives.
The event will also feature poetry, yarning, interactive art installations and community dialogue sessions facilitated by respected Wiradjuri elders. Doors open from 10 am and close at 4 pm.
For more details about Wagga Wagga’s Australia Day 2024 activities click here.
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