Cessnock City’s theme for this year's Australia Day celebrations is “Voices of Australia” featuring the music of local singer, songwriter Trish Gillespie and other Australian artists.
"Cessnock is a great place to live and we want to celebrate the great achievement of Trish as an artist and songwriter from our Local Government Area and also to recognise and pay tribute to the wealth of talent which is evident throughout our community," Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Alison Davey said.
The ceremony will be held at East Cessnock Bowling Club, featuring Human Rights Commissioner and Commissioner Responsible for Disability Discrimination, Graeme Innes AM as Cessnock City’s Australia Day Ambassador.
“Mr. Innes has been active in the disability field for 30 years. He was the first blind President of the Royal Blind Society of NSW, and the first Chair of Vision Australia, Australia's largest national blindness agency," the Mayor said.
"He also relaxes by drinking fine Australian white wine, so I'm sure he will enjoy his visit here to Wine Country."
The ceremony will start at 9am and the program includes the presentation of Australia Day Awards and a naturalisation ceremony to welcome our nine newest Australian citizens.
“Each year, our Australia Day ceremony is a really uplifting event and this year promises to be the same. I encourage everyone to attend the celebrations,” the Mayor said.
Entry is free and people are encouraged to arrive early as a large crowd is expected.
Council thanks Harrigan's Irish Pub – Hunter Valley Gardens, who is the major sponsor for the event, and extends thanks to contributing sponsors Central Hunter Radio-2CHR.FM, Cessnock Achievement Centre, Cessnock Advertiser, Cessnock Business & Professional Women’s Club, East Cessnock Bowling Club, Jennifer Williams Photography, KFC Cessnock, McDonalds Cessnock, McGuigan’s Simeon Wines Ltd, Priceline Pharmacy-Cessnock, The Roche Group and Woolworths Limited.
For further information please contact the Mayor’s office on 4993 4210.