Australia Day events around Ballina Shire
Australia Day on Monday promises a full day of entertainment throughout the shire, with events planned for Ballina and Wardell.
In Ballina, Australia’s ‘Accidental Hero’ of the Winter Olympics, Stephen Bradbury, will be the special guest for Ballina Shire’s celebrations, which also will celebrate the centenary of the Ballina Bowling Club.
Events this year will be held at Hampton Park, located beside the tennis and bowling clubs (Moon and Bentinck streets).
The day starts at 9am with a special breakfast, and at 10am the official award and citizenship ceremonies will get under way.
Then will come the entertainment, including:
For the kids: the fun of the merry-go-around, Old McDonald’s Farm and Reptile Park.
For the adults (and kids): Live entertainment from Fossil Rock, performances by didgeridoo player Rory Close, rock ‘n’ roll dancers and the Ballina Bootscooters.
For the active: A Sports and Fitness Expo including demonstrations, exhibitions and activities. Come along and try out tai chi, baseball, Australian Rules Football, fishing, croquet, tennis and, of course, bowls!
There will also be Harley rides available on the day with Northern Rivers Bikes and Trikes as well as Gumboot Throwing, Tug of War Competitions and Chocolate Wheels.
A number of food vans including the Lions Club BBQ and a licensed drink tent will be available on the day to satisfy your Aussie thirst and hunger pains.
A Smorgasbord Lunch will also be available in the club at the Ballina Family Restaurant from 12 noon for $10.35 (members) and $12.10 (visitors).
Community organisations such as the SES and Ballina Coast Guard will be exhibiting displays.
The festivities wrap up around 5pm with the drawing of the Ballina Bowling Club ‘Aussie Outdoor Package’ raffle.
In Wardell, Australia Day is being celebrated at the Wardell Sporting and Recreation Club with a Big Aussie Breakfast.
The Breakfast starts from 7am with juice, sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, tea and coffee.
There will Aussie music to get everyone into the theme for the day.
An 18-hole golf competition is arranged to walk off all those kilojoules from breakfast, and to add a bit of interest to the game it will be a two club and a putter stroke event.
Anyone wishing to play can hire clubs from the clubhouse.
The Sporting and Recreation Club is situated on the Wardell–Alstonville Road at Wardell and visitors are always very welcome.
If you want to enjoy just the breakfast, that’s OK — you don’t have to play golf on the day.
