Australia Day 2007
Australia Day is an important milestone that helps focus public attention on the achievements of the nation.

In Wyong Shire, 26 January 2007 was particularly significant for those local residents who officially became Australian citizens on the day. A citizenship ceremony was a highlight of celebrations at Wyong.

As part of Australia Day celebrations, Wyong Mayor, Bob Graham, conferred citizenship on the Scottish-born football manager of the Central Coast Mariners, Lawrie McKinna and his wife Christine.

Award winners
Wyong Shire Council's Australia Day Awards are another highlight of the celebration. See this year's winners.

Australia Day celebrations across Wyong Shire included:

Canton Beach (on Australia Day Eve, Thursday 25 January)

With an emphasis on family entertainment, activities at Toukley's Canton Beach started at 4.30pm on Australia Day eve.

Highlights of the evening included entertainment by the Coo-ee Australiana Band; Jake Cassar, whose session will include a look at the mysteries of bush tucker; and 'Lucky', a performer who talked about the tough life of our pioneers on the gold fields. Children were able to try their hand at gold panning.

There was also a special 'goldfields classroom' where children learned about pounds, shillings and pence; early ways of writing; and making a peg doll. Methods of shearing sheep from the 1800's were demonstrated; there was also bush poetry, lamington making, and a display by Toukley Pipes and Drums band. Footballers, Andrew Clark, Matthew Osman and Adam Kwasnik, from the Central Coast Mariners, attended the celebrations in their role as the Australia Day ambassadors for Wyong Shire.

And, finally, the Canton Beach celebrations finished with a fireworks display.

The Entrance - Friday 26 January

The Entrance hosted a big program of Australia Day celebrations, ranging from ethnic dancing, wood chopping championships; an ice cream eating competition; tug-a-war and fireworks.

Memorial Park stage

11.30am	The Outback Band
12.10pm	Highland Dancing demonstration
12.30pm	The Outback Band
1.15pm	Asha's Bollywood Dancers
1.35pm	The Outback Band
2.15pm	Ice cream eating competition
2.40pm	The Outback Band
3.25pm	Bush poet, Garry Lowe
3.40pm	Tuggerah Lakes Showband
4.30pm	Official Australia Day ceremony, including appearance by Central Coast mariners, Wayne O"Sullivan, Tom Pondejak, Nik Mrdja and Brad Porter.
5.00pm	Greek dancing
5.15pm	Bush poet, Garry Lowe
5.30pm	How Bizarre
6.15pm	Chinese dancers
6.25pm	Chilian dancers
6.35pm	How Bizarre
7.25pm	Chinese dancers
7.45pm	How Bizarre
8.35pm	Latina Explosion
9.00pm	Fireworks

For additional information, contact (02) 4333 5377.

Memorial Park, The Entrance - Friday 26 January

Wyong - Friday 26 January

Australia Day celebrations at Wyong were held in the undercover area of the town's race club.

Activities started at 8.30am with an 'Aussie sausage sizzle', followed by a morning of non-stop entertainment with country music artists including the Six Piece Summerland Kings Band; Patti McKinnon; Frankie Johns; John Kember and Ceddy McGrady.

There was also bush poetry from Garry Lowe and John Barclay and a performance by the Coastal Cowboys Clogging Club.

Central Coast Mariners Paul O'Grady, Nigel Boogaard, Damien Brown and Matthew Simon attended the celebrations from 8.30am and were joined by team mates Noel Spencer, Matthew Trott and Vuko Tomasevic at 10.30am.

The formal part of the day started at 11am and included a citizenship ceremony; the cutting of an Australia Day cake; and morning tea.

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Page last updated: 05/02/2007