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Jam-packed program for 2017 Australia Day
A jam-packed program full of exciting entertainment and activities are sure to get residents into the Aussie spirit for the 2017 Australia Day celebrations.
Following the success of last year’s extended program, Whyalla’s 2017 Australia Day celebrations will again feature seven hours of quality afternoon entertainment, spirited competitions and cultural excitement.
Celebrations at the Whyalla Foreshore will kick off with some of Whyalla’s up-and coming performers taking to the stage for Youth Hour from 2pm on Thursday, January 26.
The iconic dummy spitting competition will again be a highlight of the day, with apple bobbing and tug-of-war adding to the day’s festivities, while the family sandcastle competition is expected to attract a large number of families to spread out over the beach.
Australia Day coordinator Rebecca Neilson said this year’s jam packed program would appropriately commemorate the occasion and let the Whyalla community show its Aussie pride.
“The jam packed program is aimed at celebrating the essence of Australia Day while giving the community an exceptionally enjoyable, light hearted and low-cost day out, particularly for families,” Mrs Neilson said.
“Bring along your beach buckets and keen imagination to impress the judges for the sand castle competition, practice your dummy spitting and apple-bobbing skills, or simply grab your favourite comfy chair to kick back and enjoy the entertainment.”
The official Australia Day ceremony will begin at 4.30pm and will feature an Australia Day message delivered by Whyalla mayor Lyn Breuer, followed by acknowledgements of recipients of the prestigious Australia Day Awards, flag-raising and national anthem sung by Whyalla Recording Scholarship winner Breeze Millard, and the unveiling of more than 1000 lamingtons, which will subsequently be distributed to the crowd.
Award recipients will be presented with their awards at a private function on Wednesday, January 25 prior to the Australia Day community celebration at the Whyalla Foreshore on Thursday, January 26, 2017.
To encourage everyone to get right into the spirit of a beach party theme, Mrs Neilson is urging people to outfit themselves in an Aussie Day theme for the chance to win a prize.
An exciting addition to this year’s Australia Day celebrations is Cool4Kids, and the fun-loving characters are sure to entertain and engage the children.
Mrs Neilson said Cool4Kids was in high demand throughout South Australia and interstate and would provide lots of laughs, while teaching children valuable lessons about respect and manners through music, singing, and dancing.
Popular band Pulse will be playing all of the crowd favorites, with two jam packed sets full of popular covers.
The Australia Day celebrations will end with a bang when the popular fireworks display at fills the night sky at 9pm.
There will be something to entertain everyone at this year’s Australia Day event, with amusement rides, face painting and temporary tattoos for the kids.
Whyalla City Council is also pleased to confirm Beyond Bank Australia will once again be the major sponsor of the Australia Day celebrations and Australia Day awards.
Beyond Bank community development manager John Morrison said Beyond Bank was excited to be sponsoring the event again this year, and was looking forward to seeing residents enjoying the fun day out.
“We are delighted to partner with the City of Whyalla again in 2017 to bring the Australia Day celebrations to the community,” Mr Morrison said.
“Australia Day celebrations not only remind us about how fortunate we are to live here, but also brings families together through celebration and national pride.
“The values embraced by the City of Whyalla, in particular the focus on community and highlighting the citizens and their amazing achievements, resonates strongly with Beyond Bank.
“As a customer-owned bank our aim is to build a stronger and more prosperous community and be the chosen bank for community groups, their supporters and their volunteers.
“We offer a range of banking products specifically for the community sector and we are always looking to partner with like-minded organisations that put community first.”
This year’s Australia Day celebrations will again be a dry event, with all areas of the foreshore, including the marina, being an alcohol-free zone from midday to midnight.
The council also advises residents that the Whyalla jetty will be closed from 3pm until 10pm on Australia Day to accommodate the fireworks display.