A SERIES of events have been organised by Bathurst Regional Council to help residents celebrate Australia Day on Saturday.
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As has become a tradition over the years, the celebrations will start at Eglinton War Memorial Hall with a barbecue breakfast.
There will be a formal flag raising and singing of the national anthem, but outside of that it is set to be a laid-back event with free family-friendly fun and games.
The breakfast starts at 8am and will be followed by the citizenship ceremony, scheduled for a 10am start at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
Originally planned to occur on Friday night, the ceremony was a late addition to the January 26 Australia Day schedule, due to outrage from some councillors.
More than 20 residents will be recognised as Australian citizens on Saturday and take the citizenship pledge. The whole community is invited to attend.
Residents can then head over to the Manning Aquatic Centre to take advantage of free entry from 11am.
Activities will be available at the aquatic centre in addition to swimming.
Councillor Jacqui Rudge said she was looking forward to Australia Day and the activities that council had organised for the community.
“It is part of being an Aussie really – a barbecue, water and having fun,” she said.
“That’s all part of the Australian way.”
READ MORE: Australia Day in Bathurst and region
Residents will have to enjoy all the events in heatwave conditions, however.
Weatherzone has forecast a hot weekend for Bathurst, with the temperature expected to rise to a top of 38 degrees on Saturday.
Sunday won’t be much better, with the mercury getting to 37 degrees, however, there is a 70 per cent chance of rain.
