Australia Day Celebrations

Words by Rachel Watkins

Hobson’s Bay council is boasting Australia day 2008 will be their best celebration ever. Encouraging the community to celebrate their country and join in the fun filled weekend.

Celebrations commence 8am when Altona’s Lion club in partnership with the council, hold their annual Australia Day Breakfast at Williamstown Hall.

Councillor Leigh Hardings described the breakfast as an opportunity for residents of all ages and backgrounds to come together and celebrate what it means to be Australian.

A feature of the breakfast is the address from the 2008 Australia Day Ambassador, RSPCA President and World Society for the Protection of Animals Vice President Dr Hugh Wirth.

Following the breakfast, the winners of the 2008 Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards will be announced at a Citizenship Ceremony where local migrant residents are encouraged to take up Australian citizenship.

If you are looking for something different to do this Australia Day, the Williamstown Swimming and Lifesaving Club is holding its’ annual Mobile Altona Refinery one and two kilometre swim.

Held at Williamstown beach esplanade the race kicks off at 12pm, your $30 entry fee includes a free swim cap, t-shirt for the first 300 entrants, light refreshments, a certificate of completion and a multitude of spot prizes. 

Monetary prizes are awarded to the first male and female to cross the finish line in both the one and two kilometre event. In addition, prizes are also awarded to the first male and female in the following categories; Junior (12-17 years), Open (18-29 years), Seniors (30-39 years), Masters (40-49 years), Veterans (50-59 years) and Veterans Plus (60 plus).

Previous attendees have commented on how much they “loved the after race cuisine” and how impressed they were with “the friendly family atmosphere,” hailing the race a “great Australia Day event!”

Families can celebrate the day at Logan Reserve with a traditional Australian sausage sizzle and a children’s sandcastle building competition being held by the Altona Village Traders’ Association. 

Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Bill Baarini believes Australia Day is day for families, it’s “all about taking pride in our wonderful country, about realising we are lucky and about reinforcing family values and spending time with family and friends,” he said.

The celebrations will continue on Sunday, 27th. For the first time the council will be hosting a ‘Summer Sounds’ concert on Australia Day weekend.

Commencing from 2pm at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown the concert will feature a diverse range of artists, providing residents and visitors a place to celebrate what is sure to be Australia’s biggest weekend!