Whether you’re a long-time local, new to the shire, or visiting our patch of paradise, everyone is welcome to join us for this year’s Ballina Shire Australia Day Ceremony at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Friday 26 January 2024, from 9am.
The ceremony will start with a Welcome to Country by Bundjalung elder Aunty Julia Paden, followed by a special citizenship ceremony welcoming 18 new Australian citizens from the USA, Bolivia, UK, Italy, Thailand, Denmark, Brazil, Philippines, and Vietnam. This year’s ceremony is particularly special as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Australian citizenship.
The event will also feature the much-anticipated Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards. These awards recognise the outstanding achievements of community members and groups. The 2024 Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year will be chosen from all nominees across all categories.
Attendees will be treated to special performances by talented members of the Ballina Players and the Lennox Beach Line Dancers following their international success at the World Dance Masters in Blackpool, UK. The event will be hosted by Sandra Jackson, a well-known and popular announcer on 101.9 Paradise FM.
The Lennox Head Lions Club will also be hosting a BBQ and music in Ross Park, Lennox Head on Australia Day. So don’t forget to pack your picnic blanket and cossies!
Let’s honour our local heroes, provide a warm welcome to our new citizens, and recognise all that is good about living in Ballina Shire.
Whether you choose to attend an organised event, gather with family and friends, or enjoy some time alone, Australia Day is a day to reflect and respect that we are all shaped by our own experiences, and to celebrate living in a nation where everyone’s views, beliefs and contributions are valued.
Australia Day Award Nominees
This year, we received 40 nominations across the seven categories of Young Citizen, Senior Citizen, Volunteer, Sporting Achievement, Environmental, Arts and Culture, and Community Event of 2023.
The nominees are:
Young Citizen
Imani Hannaford, Lucy Trease, and Tayla Kennedy.
Senior Citizen
Brenda Zakaras, Colin Lee, Dianne Thompson, Dr Colin Macdonald, Dr Meng Yew Yeo, Jeffrey Gibbs, John Gordon, Veda Dorrough, Warwick Manning, and Yvonne Scarrabelotti.
Volunteer
Daryl Holmes, David and Robii Harmon, Ivan Leahy, Ken Delany, Mark Ross, Nikki Powell, Robyne McGlashan, and Wardell Core.
Sporting Achievement
John Hair (Water Polo), Ray Chapman (Croquet), Rondah Stevenson (Football/Soccer), Scott Jenkins (Rugby Union), Bailey Wilson (Basketball and Athletics), David Scott (Croquet), Joel Taylor (Surfing), Lennox Beach Line Dancing, and Naomi Doncaster (Pickleball).
Environmental
Wardell Core, The Wildlife Twins, and the Annual Lennox Community Tree Planting Day.
Arts and Culture Award
Ballina Contemporary Art Market, Ballina Players, and Ballina Shire Concert Band.
Community Event of 2023
A Night of Elegance James Bond (Tracey Everingham Armstrong), DV Walk (Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond), Flood Recovery Temporary Housing (Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond), Future Fit Our Dementia Community (Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Inc), One Year On (Wardell Core), and Purple Friday (Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond and Cherry Street Sports).
The ceremony will conclude with the announcement of the 2024 Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year.
