Breakfast barbecues, live entertainment, pool parties and awards ceremonies are the flavour of the day this Friday, January 26, with Inverell Shire Council and service clubs hosting free Australia Day events across the shire.

Inverell Shire mayor Paul Harmon said Australia Day is one of our nation’s most loved holidays, giving people the chance to get together and celebrate what it means to be Australian.

“Australia Day is about bringing the community together and this year is no exception, with a variety activities planned across Inverell Shire,” said Cr Harmon.

Ashford will host a barbecue at Ashford Pool from 8am, hosted by Ashford Lions Club while Delungra will be hosting their traditional Australia Day awards and ceremony from 11am at Anzac Park.

“In Inverell, Inverell Macintyre Lions Club will be cooking up a storm in Victoria Park with a free breakfast barbecue from 7.30am, along with face-painting and balloons, mobile coffee, jumping castle and live entertainment playing until 11.30am,” he said.

Inverell Shire will also welcome Australia Day Ambassador Paul Featherstone, a veteran of NSW Ambulance Services and best known to Australians for his pivotal role in emergency response of major events including the Thredbo disaster, Beaconsfield Mine rescue and Bali bombing. Mr Featherstone will join celebrations in Inverell and Delungra.

“Paul Featherstone is a tremendous Australian and was really the public face of the emergency services responses at the Granville Rail Crash and Beaconsfield Mine – earning him the nation’s highest awards for bravery,” Cr Harmon said.

“We’re delighted to have the ongoing support of Senator John Williams and a number of local groups including Inverell Pipe Band, the Danthonia community, Macintyre Lions Club and Inverell Antique Motor Club and also welcome new supporters on board, Inverell Scout Group”.

Inverell’s official ceremony commences at 8am in Victoria Park and features the presentation of Australia Day awards.

To find out more about local Australia Day celebrations, visit the council website or Facebook page.