“Australia Day is an important opportunity to recognise the contribution of individuals within our community through the Citizenship and Sports Awards, as well as to welcome the newest Australian citizens to our region,” Lithgow City Council Mayor Ray Thompson said. 

Lithgow’s Official Ceremony will be held at Queen Elizabeth Park from 10 to 11am.

It includes a Citizenship Ceremony, the NSW Local Citizenship Awards and Sports Awards, and the Ambassador’s Address.

Entertainment will be provided by the Lithgow City Band and Lithgow Highland Pipe Band.

The Lions Club will serve delicious traditional homemade damper and tea prior to the event and a sausage sizzle afterwards, both free of charge.

There will also be free entry to the JM Robson Aquatic Centre from 8am until 4pm and an inflatable water-slide.

Australia Day celebrations will take place on Wolgan Street, Portland and will run from 10am to 3pm with entertainment, a Merry-Go-Round, jumping castle and other activities for children.

Lithgow City Band, Lithgow Highland Pipe Band, Ruth Lockley and the Lithgow Line Dancers will be providing the live entertainment.

The official ceremony will commence at 12pm with Australia Day Ambassador Scott McGregor, a Flag Raising Ceremony by Portland Scout Groups and singing of the National Anthem with the assistance from Lithgow City Band. 

Organisers of the Australia Day celebrations are putting a call out for all interested persons or organisations to become involved in the Annual Australia Day Celebrations to be held on Saturday, January 26. 

They are welcoming suggestions to add or improve the celebrations in Portland due to the importance of the event on the calendar. 

There will be stalls and hopefully some other items of interest and fun and games thanks to Miriam Palmer and her group along with flags and balloons. 

The organisers hoped the community of Portland will once again come to the fore and support their celebrations.  

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Australia Day celebrations at Wallerawang will start at 10.30am with Scott McGregor speaking at the Official Ceremony at 1.30 pm.

The Lithgow Highland Pipe Band will bring their unique display to the day at 12.30 pm and the wood choppers will be there again to delight you with their skills.

There will be a barbecue, a giant slide and mural painting and lots more to see and enjoy.

Celebrations continue on at the Wallerawang Community and Sports Club with the rocking sounds of the West Brothers from 3.00pm to 7.00 pm.  

Rydal will once again have their annual billy kart races on at Pioneer Park from 3pm on Saturday, January 26. 

Registration for the billy kart races will be held at the Rotunda across from the Rydal Pub and Hotel. 

The billy karts have to be home made, and you have to bring your own helmet and sturdy shoes. 

After the billy kart races are complete residents can then head back to the rotunda for a sausage sizzle and games including tug-o-war, yabby races and horse shoe tossing. 

Everyone is invited to bring along a picnic rug or chair to enjoy the festivities. 

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