Australia Day in the park

Geelong’s Rippleside Park will again celebrate Australia Day with free activities and entertainment for children and families.
The day will begin 11am before a flag-raising and opening address ceremony at 1pm and the conclusion of activities at 4pm.
Geelong Australia Day Committee has delivered the event for over 50 years, with Lions Club of Geelong-Corio Bay managing the day with the support of many community groups, volunteers and local businesses.
With City of Greater Geelong sponsoring the event, organisers expect 7000 patrons over the course of the day.
The free on-stage entertainment will include Geelong’s own, Dazzling Dan The Magic Man along with Willow Star entertainers, Scottish dancers, Geelong Memorial Brass Band and much more.
Children will also enjoy face-painting, giant slide rides, jumping castles, an animal nursery and rides on ponies and miniature trains and fire engine.
Scouts and Girl Guides will attend, while CFA, SES and vehicle displays will interest adults.
Patrons are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, although food vendors will be onsite with reasonable rates.
Free parking will be available on the site.
The organisers have thanked the day’s volunteers for playing an “important and key part in the planning and execution” of Australia Day Rippleside Park.
“The day is managed by Members of the Lions Club of Geelong-Corio Bay and supported further by various additional Lions Clubs, Rippleside Action Group and many community volunteers, all who provide key organisation skills and much needed labour support.
“Volunteers also provide labour as car park marshals, crowd control officers and catering for the fellow volunteers and the official guests.”
Over 420 person hours are expended by volunteers to run the day’s event, with an additional 1500 person hours going into the planning of the event.
“What a great effort by volunteers for our community event.”
The committee also relies heavily on the goodwill of local businesses for support and services.