Published on Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 3:55:07 PM
This year there is a full program of free activities for the York community to share and enjoy on Friday 26 January.
Breakfast from 7.30am
Events will commence at the York Recreation & Convention Centre with breakfast served at 7.30am and the flag raising at 9am.
Following the flag raising, the National Australia Day Ambassador Professor Yogi Yogesan, Serial Inventor and Entrepreneur (MedTech); Visiting Scholar, Harvard University and Founding Past President, Australasian Telehealth Society will give his address. Then the Community Citizen and Sportsperson of the Year Award finalists will be announced.
The Award Nominees this year include:
- Rachel Hayes
- Amelia Hooper
- Vicki Reynolds
- Dianne Baker
- Des Bradley
- Kai Harries
- York Swimming Club
- York Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
Pool opens at 10am
As usual there is free access to the pool and fun activities from 10am with pool games, sausage sizzle, water slide and aqua run and at the end of the day the Pool will host a free family movie.
Avon Park from 6pm
From 6pm, head to Avon Park for the Inaugural BALLARDONG FIRST Bushtucker BBQ Picnic Sundowner. The Bilya Gogulyar Boodja Aboriginal Corporation has worked closely with the local Noongar community, The York Festival and the Shire of York to develop a program of free cultural activities and experiences for community and visitors in January 2024. Bring the family, pack a picnic and enjoy dance, music and a taste of bushtucker! View the full program here: https://www.yorkfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/BALLARDONG-FIRST-tri-fold-program.pdf
What is Australia Day?
Australia Day today is about the ever-evolving story of our nation – our history, our lives and most of all our people. We come together to celebrate our diversity, respect what makes us unique and reflect on the Australia we aspire to be.
However, it is also important for historical truths to be acknowledged. For some, Australia Day is a day to celebrate all the opportunities provided by living in a free, multicultural society. For others, it’s a chance to reflect on their own citizenship and what it means to be Australian. And for many, 26 January represents a day of sadness, mourning and reminder of colonization, a day when the first fleet landed, and the discrimination and disruption of the oldest culture began.
The Shire of York has developed, and is committed to, our REFLECT - Reconciliation Action Plan, an initiative of Reconciliation Australia that enables organisations to turn good intentions into actions. While acknowledging there is much more to do, the Shire is pleased to have been able to support the development of BALLARDONG FIRST and we hope others will join us in supporting reconciliation by attending these events.
We are all part of the Story!
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