ACT Minister for Community Events Gordon Ramsay announced today A range of events and activities culminating in the Australia Day in the Capital concert and fireworks will mark Australia Day celebrations this year.
“It’s fantastic to have ARIA nominees Justice Crew in Canberra headlining the concert at Regatta Point performing some of their greatest hits, alongside local Canberra band Tuchasoul, and pop duo Jess & Matt,” Minister Ramsay commented “This impressive music line-up is just one part of the broader Australia Day in the Capital celebrations. This year, our community can enjoy family friendly entertainment and activities across the entire day.”
Minister Ramsay explained that from 7.30am, ActewAGL will host the Great Aussie Day Breakfast on the lawns of Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park. Along with a breakfast sausage sizzle there will be free family entertainment, including the Sing Australia choir, Dora the Explorer, as well as free kids activities including jumping castles, face painting and soccer darts. At 9am, Canberra will welcome our newest Australian citizens at the National Flag Raising and Citizenship ceremony, hosted at Rond Terraces. The event will feature a traditional flyover and 21-gun salute. From 4pm – 9pm, Regatta Point will host a program full of free music and entertainment, including a special appearance of the Queens Baton Relay as it completes a lap of Lake Burley Griffin. Additional activities will also be hosted at Patrick White Lawns and Rond Terrace, including children’s picnic games, a giant slide, jumping castle, face painting and glitter tattoos. Food and beverage vendors will also be open at these sites.
“A highlight of the day for many people is the impressive fireworks display. Our skies will be lit up above Lake Burley Griffin at 9pm. The best vantage points will be from Regatta Point and Patrick White Lawns,” Minister Ramsay commented “Australia Day is a day to acknowledge our history, reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia, and to consider how we can continue to build an inclusive community. We acknowledge that these events and our city are on the land of the Ngunnawal people. We acknowledge their custodianship of the land and commit to ongoing acts of reconciliation with our nation’s first people.”