The Hunter is preparing for a day of sunshine, sand, sizzling sausages, water slides and sport.
With sunny weather forecast for most of Friday, Australia Day is shaping up to be another big celebration in the region.
Here is what’s on in your local area to mark January 26:
NEWCASTLE
Australian Formula Powerboat GP
Honeysuckle Precinct
Friday 26 and Saturday 27 January 2018 – 8am - 5pm
Paul Bennet Airshow
Fort Scratchley & Newcastle Harbour – 12.30pm
Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim
Stockton Ferry Wharf to Queens Wharf
10am, Single crossing 700m from Stockton
11am, Double Crossing 1400 m from Newcastle
Citizenship Ceremony and Australia Day Awards
Newcastle City Hall – 9am - 12noon
Australian Day Bush Experience
Blackbutt Reserve, Richley Reserve, Freyberg Street, New Lambton
Free event – 10am – 1pm
READ MORE: Celebrating Australia Day | Quiz
LAKE MACQUARIE
Lake Mac Festival - Speers Point Park
Event program:
- Noon: Welcome, flag raising ceremony and National Anthem performed by Jake Dobbie
- Noon-3pm: Vintage car display
- Noon-4pm: Monster bubble activities
- 12.15pm: Movie on the big screen – RED DOG: True Blue
- 1.45pm: Arley Black
- 2-6pm: Face painting, glitter hair spraying, balloon artists
- 2.30pm: Monsters of Rock
- 4pm: Annual Scouts canoe race
- 4-5.30pm: Hula hoop activities
- 4.15pm: Welcome by the Mayor of Lake Macquarie and presentation of canoe race winners
- 4.30pm: Last Stand
- 6.15pm: Boys Light Up
- 7.45pm: Thirsty Merc
- 9pm: Fireworks finale
PORT STEPHENS
Community will be at the heart of Australia Day celebrations in Port Stephens this year.
Events designed for all members of the community to attend will be held in Raymond Terrace, Lemon Tree Passage, Karuah and Nelson Bay on Friday, January 26.
Australia Day in Raymond Terrace schedule:
8am: Free Great Aussie Breakfast (while stock lasts). Sponsored by Raymond Terrace Bowling Club, served by Lions and Rotary Clubs of Raymond Terrace
8.30am: Markets and amusements open
9am: Formal presentations on The Mutual Stage: Welcome to Country, flag raising and National Anthem, address by Australia Day ambassador, Port Stephens Annual Awards 2017
10am: Speedboat demonstrations by Aquatic Club of Raymond Terrace. Free lamingtons will be made available at the park rotunda (while stock lasts)
Noon: Jumpin’ Jukebox band on The Mutual Stage
Australia Day in Nelson Bay schedule:
9am: Australia Day parade. Starts at Laman Street, winds down Victoria Parade along the Nelson Bay waterfront and finishes in Neil Carroll Park, Fly Point.
9.45am: Hunter School of Performing Arts’ marching band to perform in front of the park stage.
10.15am: The Years on stage
10.30am: Sail Past
11.57am: Flag Raising and National Anthem
12.05pm: The Years on stage
1pm: Welcome to Country plus introductions to the recipients of Port Stephens Annual Awards, Australia Day address by the Port Stephens Australia Day Ambassador, citizenship ceremony, affirmation and National Anthem
2.15pm: The Years on stage
3pm: Robyn Yvette School of Dance
MAITLAND
Australia Day in Maitland Park
Free barbecue breakfast hosted by the Lions Club of East Maitland from 7.30am
Australia Day ceremony including ambassador speech, presentation of citizen of the year and young citizen of the year awards and citizenship ceremony from 10am
A range of outback theme activities, including kids’ echidna races, damper making, swag rolling and more
Mask making, thong throwing, face painting and a Classic Car Display by the Maitland Classic Motor Association
Free entry to Maitland Pool from 10am to 3pm
Live music on stage courtesy of the Outback Radio Trio.
CESSNOCK
There are a range of activities planned across Cessnock for Australia Day:
- Citizenship Ceremony & Australia Day Awards: East Cessnock Bowling Club from 10am - 12pm.
- Free BBQ lunch at East End Oval, Victoria Street Cessnock from 12pm-2pm.
- Mayor's Cup Twenty20 Cricket Match: East End Oval, Victoria Street, Cessnock 12.30pm with the presentation at 3.30pm.
SINGLETON
All are welcome to join in a picnic and free family fun on the Singleton Civic Centre Front Lawn, with the official Citizen of the Year Awards ceremony on the main stage.
From 8am, enjoy a gold coin breakfast sponsored by Singleton Rotary.
The official ceremony will begin at 9.30am, and include the Australia Day address, the citizenship ceremony, and announcement of the Citizen of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year awards.
Following the ceremony there will be fun for all the family.
Between 10.30am and 1.30pm, a giant water slide, food and market stalls, music, bubble mania, and a thong throwing competition will surely keep the family entertained.
There will also be a chance to cool off with gold coin donation entry to the Gym and Swim Pool between 10am and 4pm, with all proceeds to go to the Swim Ability Program.
UPPER HUNTER
Aberdeen
1pm - Aberdeen RSL & Citizens Club Moray Street
Lunch and the presentation of Australia Day Awards
Lunch is $15 per person and bookings are essential on 6543 7141
Merriwa
From 10.30am - Merriwa Sports Club, King George V Avenue
Australia Day Awards Ceremony will be followed by a free barbecue lunch and lamingtons
Murrurundi
From 8.00am - Wilson Memorial Oval
8am - Murra County Markets
10am - Grand Parade from Rosedale Complex - remember to enter a float!
Entertainment by Pat Drummond.
11am - Australia Day Awards Ceremony
Scone
10.30 am - Council Chambers, 135 Liverpool Street, Scone
Australian Citizenship Ceremony
Australia Day Awards
Scone RSL Pipes and Drums, Scone Singers and refreshments by Scone CWA.
In the afternoon there is free entry and entertainment at the pools: 2pm to 6pm at Merriwa; 1pm to 6pm at Murrurundi; and 12 noon to 4pm in Scone.
MUSWELLBROOK
The 2018 Australia Day Awards Ceremony will be held at Denman Indoor Sports Centre. The morning starts with a free breakfast, awards ceremony, family entertainment then a speech from the Australia Day Ambassador.
