The community is invited to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate at Mandurah’s Australia Day events on January 25 and 26 on the Eastern Foreshore.
There will be activities for the whole family including art and music workshops, multicultural dancing, giant games, and a special smoking ceremony. Mandurah will also hold its biggest Citizenship Ceremony of the year, welcoming 80 new citizens to the city.
On Wednesday, January 25, a traditional Indigenous smoking ceremony will be held at Kwillena Gabi Pool (estuary pool) on the Eastern Foreshore at 6.30pm.
This special ceremony promotes healing and cleansing and is a mark of respect to the land, and Elders past, present and future. The smoke wards off bad spirits from the land, whilst cleansing the area that will be used for the Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day. The community is invited to come along and witness the smoking ceremony.
On Thursday, January 26, the official Australia Day ceremony will start at 8am at the Eastern Foreshore (southern end). It will include speeches by local dignitaries and Auspire Australia Day Ambassador Steph Jackson who is a community empowerment advocate and has been on the judging panel for the Australian of the Year awards.
The winners of the Community Citizen of the Year Awards will also be announced across the categories of Community Citizen of the Year, Senior Community Citizen of the Year (65 years and over), Young Community Citizen of the Year (25 years and under), Active Citizenship Award (for a group or event).
Mandurah will hold its biggest Citizenship Ceremony of the year at 8.30am with 80 people from 16 different countries taking the pledge, including from Zimbabwe, Vietnam, United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand and the Philippines.
At 10.30am, a number of family-friendly activities will kick off on the foreshore including face painting, entertainment, giant sports games, family art workshops, a multicultural dance group, and live music from 1-3pm.
Mandurah’s Australia Day event is assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.
There will be no fireworks at the 2023 Australia Day event. For more information about Australia Day in Mandurah go to www.mandurah.wa.gov.au
