Gringo and Betsy will be providing some of the entertainment at the Australia Day Picnic
9 January 2023
Planning is well underway for the 2023 Australia Day celebrations, which will see the long-awaited return of a day of events and activities for the community to enjoy.
The day will begin with the Whyalla Harriers Fun Run leaving from Ada Ryan Gardens at 8am, followed by an Australia Day Picnic (also in Ada Ryan Gardens) from 11am – 3.30pm, and the Citizen of the Year Awards and Citizenship Ceremony held at the Whyalla City Council Civic Building chamber from 2pm.
City of Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone is looking forward to his first Australia Day celebrations as Mayor, saying he “can’t wait” to award the prestigious Citizen of the Year Awards, welcome new citizens to our great city and join the community at the Whyalla Australia Day Picnic event being held at Ada Ryan Gardens.
“Australia Day means a lot of different things to different people. To me it is a day to celebrate Whyalla, our place in Australia, and to acknowledge and be proud of the wonderful, diverse people that make up our community.” Mayor Stone said.
“Australia Day presents us with the opportunity to come together, reflect and remind ourselves about everything that is great about our community – where we have come from, what we have now, and what lies ahead. It is a day to acknowledge our leading citizens with the presentation of the Citizen of the Year Awards and to welcome our new residents to the city as they take their citizenship oath.
“I’m also looking forward to the Australia Day Picnic, which will be a chance for the community to get together, have some fun, and enjoy some free entertainment.”
The Australia Day celebrations kick off on Thursday, January 26, with the annual Beyond Bank Whyalla Fun Run at 8am from Ada Ryan Gardens. The 5km run is open for all ages to participate, with race day entry and bib collection available from 6:30-7:30am. To register, visit the Whyalla Harriers Australia Day Fun Run Website
Following the run will be the Australia Day Picnic from 11:00am- 3.30pm, held in the beautiful Ada Ryan Gardens. There will be live music by local artists Hold My Beer and MC Alex Robbins. With local Emma Taylor performing the national anthem for the flag raising ceremony conducted by the Navy Cadets. There will be other activities for the whole family, food, drink, and entertainment both on the stage and in the gardens. Mr Oppy and his famous bubbles return, along with Noodles the Clown and local performers.
The Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards celebration and ceremony is brought to you by the City of Whyalla and Beyond Bank. Beginning at 2pm at Council’s Civic Building Chamber, residents are encouraged to either attend in person, or watch online via the livestream on Council’s Facebook page. The award winners will be announced prior to the event, so be sure to keep an eye out in the lead-up.
Council has also sponsored a FREE BUS SERVICE for the Australia Day Picnic to ensure the event is accessible to people from right across the city. Check out the timetable below. You can also click here to see a map of the bus route.
Click on each poster below to enlarge.
