THE city is getting ready for a big day on Tuesday, with a number of events planned to celebrate Australia Day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Although it will be a busy day, there have been quite a few changes made to the city's traditions to ensure that all events comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
Unfortunately, that has meant the loss of the Eglinton barbecue breakfast, that for many years has kicked off Bathurst's celebrations.
There will be multiple groups around Bathurst offering barbecues, though, so there's no reason to go without a sausage sandwich.
READ MORE:
Bathurst Regional Council will be starting its events with the citizenship ceremony at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC).
Eight new citizens, who have come to Australia from all over the world, will be recognised.
This year's ceremony is by invitation only, part of the COVID-safe measures.
"Council's activities will operate with a COVID-safe plan in place which includes reduced capacity at the Manning Aquatic Centre and BMEC, social distancing measures and sanitising stations in place," Mayor Bobby Bourke said.
The presentation of the Australia Day awards will occur at 12pm at BMEC.
Cr Bourke said the list of awards is different this year, taking into account the challenges the community faced in 2020.
"We will be presenting a new award, the Australia Day Medallion and recipients will be announced on the day," he said.
"Members of the community were invited to nominate worthy recipients for this award and the Australia Day Committee has assessed these nominations.
"The Jo Ross Greening Bathurst Award will be presented, however, there will be no Citizen or Young Citizen awards presented; the 2020 recipients have been invited to hold those positions for another 12 months.
"And the Event of the Year awards will not be presented as there were limited events run in 2020."
As has become tradition, the Manning Aquatic Centre will offer free entry to patrons on Australia Day.
The offer starts at 11am and will be available until the facility closes for the day.
A maximum of 500 people can be there at any one time.
The Bathurst Fun Fair will also be available, but tickets must be purchased in advance.
A fireworks display above the showground will conclude the celebrations.
"The fireworks are being provided by the fun fair organisers, however council will encourage people to watch the display from home or inside their car if they are not attending the fun fair at the time of the fireworks display," Cr Bourke said.
