Strathbogie Shire Council is inviting community members to get together to reflect, respect and acknowledge on Australia Day 2022 (Wed., Jan. 26)..

Award ceremonies will be held in five townships on Australia Day – these being Violet Town, Avenel, Nagambie, Euroa and Longwood.

Winners of Strathbogie Shire’s Australia Day awards will be announced on the day in the following six award categories:

• Community Organisation of the Year
• Junior Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Citizen of the Year
• Senior Citizen of the Year, and
• Community Event of the Year

Strathbogie Shire Mayor, Cr Laura Binks, said the winners of the Shire-wide awards would also be announced on the day.

“Australia Day is a time to reflect on our collective past, present and future,” Cr Binks said.

“In our Shire it’s also an opportunity for us to acknowledge members of our community who are doing great things.

“These are the people, and groups, who volunteer their time to create the sense of community that makes Strathbogie Shire such a wonderful place.

“It’s an opportunity for us to recognise the people who make our community better.

“I recognise the January 26 can bring pain to First Nations people and we will explore how we acknowledge this and work towards creating events that are respectful and inclusive in the future.”

Community events and activities will be held across the country in 2022 with the support of the National Australia Day Council.

NADC Chief Executive Karlie Brand said that on Australia Day we listen and respect each other’s stories, contributions and aspirations and celebrate being Australian together.

“This year, the NADC received a record number of grant applications from local government authorities and community organisations to support local Australia Day events and activities,” Ms Brand said.

“We live on ancient Country, our history began more than 65,000 years ago.

“On Australia Day, we reflect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture and how European settlement forever changed how they lived their lives.

“We also celebrate the waves of migration that helped forge Australia’s place as one of the world’s great multicultural successes.”

The table below provides further information on Australia Day events in each township.

These events are open to all members of the public and will be conducted in a COVID-safe manner. Please consider what measures you can take to help protect yourself and others while attending.

The Strathbogie event is cancelled in 2022.

Violet Town. 7.30am breakfast. 9.30am ceremony. Violet Town Community Complex, 35 Cowslip St.

Avenel. 9.30am ceremony. 12 Noon morning tea. Jubilee Park, Livingstone St.

Nagambie (double vaccination requirement). 8am sausage sizzle. 8.45am ceremony. Nagambie Rowing Club,, 301 High St, Nagambie

Euroa. 12 Noon ceremony. 1pm barbecue. Memorial Park, Kirkland Ave.

Longwood. 5.30pm barbecue. 7pm ceremony. Longwood Community Centre and Recreation Reserve.