Eglinton was a hive of activity on Australia Day, as the suburb hosted its annual barbecue breakfast at the War Memorial Hall.
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It was the first community event of the day for Bathurst, which was followed by the Citizenship Ceremony and Awards at Machattie Park and Australia Day by the Pool at the Bathurst Aquatic Centre.
Bathurst mayor Gary Rush made an appearance at the breakfast, as well as Member for Calare Andrew Gee.
Citizen of the Year Graeme Hanger and Young Citizen of the Year Stephen Chapman were also out and about.
Andrew Prior spoke to the crowd, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the raising of the flag.
Cr Rush proceed to address the attendees, before Melissa Eustance from the Special Olympics Dance Group spoke to the crowd.
Following Ms Eustance speech, the eight other members of the dance group begun to perform two dances for the Eglinton crowd.
Cr Rush said Australia Day is an important opportunity for people to come to together and celebrate being Australian and also what it means to be a part of the Bathurst community.
Following the formal procedures, people were treated to the barbecue, car displays and games and activities.
Ian McMaster, who had his Peugeot 404 on display, has been coming to the Eglinton barbecue for the past 15 years and said Australia Day means a lot to many people.
“We celebrate all things Australia, our way of life,” he said.
“It is the one day of the year we can do it.”
The Jones family decided to try out the Eglinton barbecue for the first time and Aaron Jones said the morning was full of fantastic, community atmosphere.
“[Australia Day is about] being unified in celebration for how great our country is,” he said.
Michelle Yeo, who was in line for her breakfast, said Australia Day is a chance to have “a bloody good time”.
“It’s about getting together with your mates and to have a beer around the barbie,” she said.
Celebrations for Australia Day were a little bit different for Doug Graham when he was a child.
Mr Graham, who has lived in Bathurst his whole life, said the day was not celebrated as much as modern standards.
But he said it is “great to be alive to celebrate” day with other fellow Australians.
