The race has built a reputation over the past few years as a great family event, as well as being one of the bigger events numbers-wise for the club.

The bulk of those numbers come from the junior members.

Junior racers continue to shine on race days, and one of those leading the way is James Patterson.

The 10-year-old may only have taken up the sport two years ago but he, and his younger brothers, can’t get enough of racing.

“We try to go to as many of the interclub races as we can now, and the Elite Energy races which are all over the place. I’ve got a Hills one next weekend and we’ve got the Huskisson one at the end of February,” he said.

“This is a lot nicer race than most days. Racing on Australia Day I reckon people aren’t as competitive as they normally are a lot of the time. 

“I just love meeting all new friends here. I’ve made one friend and when we race we’re always trying to beat each other. I just met him at one race and we’ve been friends for a while now.”

Wallabies president Mick Stapley is happy to see the juniors consistently coming out to race, leading to many events for the younger members.

“At the club it seems like it’s the kids who come first and then encourage the parents to get into it,” he said.

“Our kids make up the big numbers here in our club, and that’s why we have so many races for them to cater for the various abilities we have. For example, there’s a 22-metre swim right through to those who can do the 300m.”

Stapley believes the race continues to grow in popularity year after year.

“This is a celebration for us, we’re all proud Aussies and that’s why we’re the Wallabies. It doesn’t get much more Australian than that. We always encourage everyone to get down and start the special day with a healthy activity,” he said.

“I’d say it would have been about four years now since we’ve held the Australia Day race. It continues to grow. People have found that they’ve enjoyed it and then they come back up for it the next year.”

Last year’s race was taken out by Nick North after a battle with Dean Windsor, while Kirsten Howard was dominant in taking out the women’s race.

Three rounds will remain in the Wallabies Tri Club series after the Australia Day race, with the next on February 8.