A LARGE crowd is expected to help mark Mildura Rural City Council’s annual Australia Day celebrations on Thursday.
All the fun is scheduled to get under way from 8.30am at Henderson Park, with a free barbecue breakfast from the Mildura Lions Club and coffee available.
Council has also extended an invitation to 32 conferees to become new citizens to the region.
Sunraysia's newest citizens hail from numerous corners of the world including Philippines, Jordan, United Kingdom, Denmark, Taiwan, India, Philippines, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Ireland.
"Our Australia Day celebrations are a great time for our community to come together and reflect on what it means to be a part of our community, and our wonderful country,” Mildura Mayor Liam Wood said.
There will be entertainment on the day by local duo Toni & Nev, while council will also also announce the recipients of the annual Australia Day Awards.
“Council’s annual Australia Day Awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of individuals, community organisations and groups in our region,” Cr Wood said.
“These prestigious awards are one of the highest honours council can bestow to publicly acknowledge local heroes, whose dedication and contributions may otherwise go unnoticed.”
Winners will be announced across three categories from a large field of nominees:
Nominees for Citizen of the Year
• Peter Saunders
• Sister Patricia Fitzgibbon
• Zach Stanbrough
• Nathan Carnie
• Tim Pongraz
• Lynise Sherlock
• Michael Craig
• Susan Watts
Nominees for Young Citizen of the Year
• Lily Adams
• Heather Olofsson
• Dominic Eggmolesse-Smith
• Tyler Carter
• Nicholas Coe
• Molly Kalms
• Conor Pall
• Kaid McGlashan
• Tayden Halliday
• Mikayla Jones
• Nell Banks-Purcell
Nominees for Community Event/Project of the Year
• Red Cliffs Centenary Committee - 2022 Red Cliffs Centenary Celebrations
• Mildura Swimming Club - 2022 Victorian Country Long Course Swimming Championship
• North West Victorian Motorcycle Club - 2022 Hattah Desert Race
• Mildura Show Society - 2022 National Ag Mildura Show
Local community groups and clubs across the region are also hosting events to mark the day.
Irymple: Henshilwood Recreation Reserve, 7.30am-9.30am
Merbein: Kenny Park, 8am-11am
Red Cliffs: Barclay Square, 8am-10.30am
Colignan: Colignan Community Recreation Reserve (Mudhut), 9am-12pm
Murrayville: Murrayville Swimming Pool, 12.30pm-2pm
Millewa: Johansen Rec Reserve Cullulleraine (RSL building), 8am-11am
Ouyen: Council Service Centre lawns (71 Oke Street), 7.30am-9.30am
Underbool: Underbool Swimming Pool, 5pm-7pm
Walpeup: Walpeup Wayside Stop, 8.30am-10am
