Australia Day events across municipality

Published on 19 January 2024

Australia Day events will take place throughout the Horsham Rural City Council municipality on Friday.

The community will come together at Sawyer Park to celebrate our national day with Australia Day Ambassador Dr Georgia Atkin-Smith set to join the festivities.

It all starts with a free barbecue breakfast from 7am followed by a flag raising ceremony and presentation of the Australia Day Awards from 8am. 

The morning’s formalities will also include citizenship ceremony where people from South Africa, Thailand, Pakistan, Myanmar, India and the Philippines will officially become Australians.

Former Horsham resident Dr Atkin-Smith, now a medical scientist, will be guest speaker.

There’ll also be entertainment from Horsham City Pipe Band, Voices of the Wimmera and Horsham Rural City Band.

HRCC will livestream the ceremony via its Facebook page and website.

Council is also supporting Australia Day celebrations at Brimpaen (8am) Natimuk’s NC2 (11am) and Dadswells Bridge (11.30am).

Mayor Robyn Gulline said 2024 marked 75 years since the Nationality and Citizenship Act became law.

“Prior to 26 January 1949, every person born in Australia had been deemed a British subject,” she said.

“With the passing of this Act, it was the first time the term ‘Australian Citizen’ had been used in any legislation, including the Constitution.

“Anyone born in Australia on or after this date was automatically an Australian citizen and the rules for applying for Australian citizenship were detailed.”

Cr Gulline said Australia Day was a chance to say thank you and congratulations to various award winners for their contribution to our community.

“Wherever you are and whatever you do, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in Australia and especially the Wimmera,” Cr Gulline said.

“We have access to great schools, excellent healthcare, good sporting facilities, international and local arts and culture and beautiful natural surrounds.

“There are so many ways to mark the public holiday – attend a community event, have a barbeque with family or friends, or splash about at one of the local pools, take a paddle down our river or jump on the bike for a pedal. 

“It is also important to remember that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and some members of our community do not see Australia Day as a day of celebration. It is important that we acknowledge this and continue to build greater understanding, respect and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

“Thank you, also, to the local community groups that help stage Australia Day events across the municipality. Council appreciates your efforts and the respectful way in which these events are conducted,” she said.

ABOUT DR GEORGIA ATKIN-SMITH

Originally from Horsham, Dr Georgia Atkin-Smith is a Cell Biologist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. She completed her PhD in 2019 at La Trobe University, receiving the Nancy Millis Medal for the top 5 per cent of PhD theses.

Georgia has secured multiple highly competitive national research grants, including an NHMRC Investigator Grant and a L’Oreal UNESCO For Women In Science Fellowship, to explore the role of dying cells in inflammatory disease.

Her research has resulted in 20 scientific publications and more than 20 awards including a feature as one of the Herald Sun’s 25 under 25 Young People to Watch, one of La Trobe Universities Top 10 Young Alumni and a Victorian Young Achievers People’s Choice Award. Also known as Some Blonde Scientist, Georgia is a passionate science communicator, Keynote speaker and advocate of women in STEM.