Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in Sussex Inlet
Published on 22 January 2025
Shoalhaven City Council is hosting a combined Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony event this Sunday 26 January at Swordfish Brewing in Sussex Inlet.
The event will see 32 conferees from 12 nations become Australian citizens and is being held before the Sussex Inlet Community Picnic begins at midday.
Mayor Patricia White who is hosting the event alongside Deputy Mayor, Peter Wilkins, said she was excited to welcome our newest Australians and celebrate the outstanding contributions of the people in the Shoalhaven.
“Council’s Australia Day Awards are about recognising the hard and often unseen work of our local people,” said Cr White.
“All the nominees have gone above and beyond to make the Shoalhaven the wonderful place it is today and I can’t wait to celebrate them for their selfless dedication to community,” she said.
“Our 32 conferees will also witness first-hand the embodiment of community spirit as our nominees are acknowledged for their volunteer work or giving back to society.”
Cr White said she was honoured to welcome Andy Paschalidis, the Shoalhaven’s Australia Day Ambassador, who will be giving the Australia Day address. Mr Paschalidis is an accomplished sports journalist, broadcaster and humanitarian who has been part of the Australia Day Ambassador program since 1996.
There are three award categories this year:
- Citizen Award: 25 years and over
- Young Citizen Award: 24 years and younger
- Proudly Shoalhaven Award: open to individuals, volunteers, service groups and community groups.
The Citizenship Ceremony will welcome our newest citizens from Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, India, Iran, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdon and United States.
The Council event runs from 10.30 am until midday with award nominees and conferees welcomed into Swordfish Brewing for formalities.
The Sussex Inlet Australia Day Community Picnic kicks off at midday at Ellmoos Reserve (in front of Swordfish Brewing) where families can enjoy live music and food on the river. People who arrive early for the picnic are welcome to watch Council’s event from the grassy area below the deck.