2023 Australia Day Celebrations
Published on 20 January 2023
The Leeton community and visitors are invited to celebrate Australia Day 2023 on Thursday, 26 January 2023 with an exciting lineup of events planned.
The day will kick off with a free barbeque breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club of Leeton at Mountford Park at 7.30am with music and entertainment provided by the Leeton Town Band.
The official proceedings will commence at 9.15am and will include a citizenship ceremony to welcome eight new Australians to Leeton Shire. For those who are unable to attend in person, the citizenship ceremony and official proceedings will be livestreamed via the Leeton Shire Council’s Facebook page.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming the community and visitors as well as hosting Leeton’s 2023 Australia Day Ambassador Peter McLean,” said Mayor Cr Tony Reneker.
Peter McLean has an extensive background in state and local government, as well as the not-for-profit industry. He has recently joined the Australian Organics Recycling Association as Executive Officer. Prior to his current role, he was the CEO of Keep Australia Beautiful NSW for 11 years where he was managing various community development programs such as Tidy Towns which the Leeton Shire has proudly participated in over the years.
Following the proceedings, a tasty bush tucker lunch will be served. Indulge in emu spring rolls and marinated kangaroo, sample a witchety grub pizza and top it off with lemon myrtle cheesecake and wattle seed ice cream courtesy of Michael Lyons.
In the afternoon, everyone is invited to kick back, relax and cool down at the Leeton Pool Party taking place at the Leeton Regional Aquatic Centre. Admission to the pool is free (from 3pm to 8pm) with plenty of activities on offer including a visit from a Disney Princess, games, inflatable races and more. In addition, the Lions Train will be offering rides for those interested, more delicious bush tucker will be available and musical entertainment will be provided by Stepback Discos.
Australia Day Committee Chairman Cr George Weston strongly encourages residents and visitors to help commemorate this important national day of celebration.
“Australia Day is an opportunity for everyone living in the Leeton Shire to think about what it means to be Australian and is an opportunity to reconnect with each other,” he said.
“It's for everyone to share in an opportunity to come together and acknowledge our collective contributions to Australia.”
In the spirit of coming together and recognising the contributions and efforts of everyone in our community, Council is proud to have again worked towards a more inclusive and accessible event which is being supported for a second year by members of Leeton’s local Aboriginal Community.
“This year’s event will include a smoking ceremony and a performance by the Parkview Public School Cultural Dance Group as well as a fascinating artefact display,” said Leeton Shire Council’s Events Officer Fran Macdonald.
“In addition, the Leeton community is invited to contribute to creating a large community painting, which will be available at both the park and the pool party.”
In the lead-up to and immediately after Australia Day, a collection of photos of Aboriginal artworks and activities completed by the Leeton district schools will be projected onto the Chelmsford Place water tower on the evenings of 23 January to 26 January 2023.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Karlie Brand, says there are as many ways to experience Australia Day as there are Australians, with each of us finding our own meaning and significance shaped by our own experience and history.
“Australia Day is a day to learn more about our true history. Many will gather at services in cities and towns around the nation to stand with First Nations Australians in moments of reflection, truth-telling and celebration of timeless and enduring culture,” she said.
“These events are an opportunity to join in the time-honoured practice of storytelling to preserve language, history and culture.”
Queries on Leeton Shire’s Australia Day 2023 event can be directed to Council’s Events Officer Fran Macdonald on (02) 6951 3103.
ENDS
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Fran Macdonald
Events Officer
T. (02) 6951 3103
E. franm@leeton.nsw.gov.au