As the country’s first inland settlement, Bathurst will celebrate its bicentenary on May 7, 2015, and there is a huge line-up of community activities, exhibitions and events planned.

Mayor and bicentenary committee chair Gary Rush said there are more than 100 events planned across the year “with something for everyone”.

“People are really starting to engage and plan for events next year,” he said. 

“A whole range of activities kick off on New Year’s Eve, and we’re making that special and making that the launch. I have no doubt that the community will really engage once the whole thing gets closer ... Bathurst turns up for all sorts of things.”

Cr Rush said the response from the community for the 200 Living Legend, People in Time art project and Peoplescape community art installations has been well received, but is encouraging more nominations.

“I look around the room [when visiting community groups] and say there’s four or five or six people that would be good to nominate for the Living Legends,” he said.

Bicentenary committee member Councillor Monica Morse said people can help Bathurst celebrate its bicentenary through community picnics, competitions, historical displays and a family fair.

“It’s a hugely important thing to celebrate what Bathurst is and what it’s become,” she said.

A number of photographic exhibitions will feature in the entertainment program, with hundreds of photos from the Bathurst District Historical Society and community members who have shared their memories.

Among the exhibitions is one from Bathurst artist Dean Mobbs who will showcase a display of some of Bathurst’s buildings.

The Moments in Time exhibition will highlight early Blue Mountains crossings, while the Snapshots in Time will feature photos of people and places around Bathurst during the last 200 years.

“There’s all these other things that we can celebrate about Bathurst, all the things that have happened over 200 years, like gold, music, sport,” she said. “It’s going to be great fun, we have to enjoy it.”

Cr Morse said the bicentenary committee has worked alongside local Wiradjuri people to ensure the celebrations tell the whole community’s stories.

Visit www.bathurst200.com.au to view the full bicentenary program.