Maitland heads into the outback this Australia Day
Thousands of Maitland residents are expected to head to Maitland Park on Friday 26 January for the 2018 Australia Day celebrations, proudly presented by Maitland Mutual. This year’s event centres on the theme ‘The Outback’ and will feature a range of fun activities between 7.30am and 3.00pm.
Council’s Events Officer Operations Kate Henry says, ‘Australia Day is an important occasion to reflect on what makes our country such a great place to live. It is also a day to spend enjoying all the things we love about Australia and I think it’s fair to say the outback is definitely one of those things that a lot of people are fond of.’
The festivities kick off with a free barbeque breakfast hosted by the Lions Club of East Maitland from 7.30am, followed by a range of activities, including echidna races, damper making, swag rolling and much more all tying in nicely with the Outback theme. There will also be the mask making, thong throwing, face painting and once again the Classic Car Display is being put on by the Maitland Classic Motor Association.
Kids and adults alike can take advantage of free entry to Maitland Pool from 10.00am to 3.00pm and for those wanting to just relax and soak up the atmosphere there will be some live music on stage courtesy of the Outback Radio Trio.
In a big coup for the city, speech pathologist Mary-Ruth Mendell will be the 2018 Australia Day Ambassador for the Official Ceremony starting at 10.00am. Mary-Ruth is the co-founder of Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) which is dedicated to raising language, literacy and numeracy standards in Australia. The ALNF raises funds to develop, implement and sustain innovative projects for individuals, families and communities.
Mary-Ruth has led an extraordinary life and has had a positive impact on the lives of so many people. She was a finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards in 2008 when she won the Local Hero Award for NSW and she will be a great addition to everything else happening on Australia Day in Maitland Park.
Official proceedings will include a Citizenship Ceremony, where 13 residents will become Australian citizens, and the presentation of the awards for Maitland’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year.
For more information about the event go to maitlandevents.com.au/australia-day