A packed program is planned for the town’s Australia Day celebrations in Taylor Park on Friday, January 26.

Musical entertainment and a hearty breakfast will kick off the celebrations from 8am.

Therese Clancy will open the celebrations at 9am and welcome our Australia Day ambassador who has been confirmed as Sandra Ireson who is the 2017 NSW/ACT Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award winner. 

Ms Ireson is building on the success of the Hay Inc. Rural Education Program by developing an adaptable model called “Engage Ag” – creating opportunities for a career in agriculture - promoting the initiative to other rural communities and industry.

She has a keen interest in developing pathways for younger generations to gain a start in primary industries.

In 2014, she co-developed the Hay Inc. Rural Education Program to address the challenge of markedly reduced numbers of young people entering or staying in agriculturally dependent communities.

Growing up on a Merino sheep property on the Monaro, she studied Agriculture before working in the veterinary and agricultural animal health industry in sales and marketing. 

She owns and operates a beef cattle and sheep enterprise near Booligal.

8am Musical Entertainment

8am BBQ Breakfast

8.30am Children’s drawing competition begins

9am Official Opening Ceremony

9.01am Acknowledgement of Country

9.02am Flag raising and national anthem

9.05am Prayer of thanks

9.10am Welcome to ambassador

9.15am Address by ambassador

9.25am Thank you to ambassador and presentation of pin and gift

9.28am Presentation of Australia Day awards by Weddin Shire mayor Mark Liebich

9.50am Judging of children’s colouring in competition

10.10am Poetry reading competition

10.15am Awarding of children’s colouring competition

10.20am Thank you to all participants and close of official ceremony

In case of wet weather the Australia Day ceremony will be held in Soldiers Memorial Hall at the corner of Church Street and Middle Street.