Lara, Geelong, and Portarlington communities will celebrate Australia Day (January 26), with many free events occurring across the region on Sunday.
Portarlington Community Information Booth will host free activities from 11am at Newcombe Street Rotunda Forecourt and its surrounding areas.
“We have our doggy fashion parade where the owners and dogs will dress up in Australian gear and parade in front of judges,” president Phil Cameron said.
“We’re doing a free egg and bacon sandwich giveaway, and then following the fashion parade, we have free face painting and live music around the rotunda.
“The national Australia Day theme is ‘reflect, respect, and celebrate; we’re all part of the story’… and it is about celebrating who we are.
“We need to discuss Australia Day and the date, but we should all be doing it together rather than fighting each other and the rotunda will be flying the Australian and Aboriginal flags.”
Lara Australia Day Committee will host a free community breakfast at theLara Sporting Club from 8am to 10am, and food, entertainment, games, and family-friendly activities will be available.
Lara Lions Club president Tom Gilfillan said the breakfast was an inclusive event and would highlight the Lara Citizens of the Year awards.
“It’s a celebration and a chance to come together as a community to appreciate what we have in Australia; we’ve got a great country,” he said.
“It’s about bringing people together just to have a bit of fun and a free meal. Kids can come play games and run around and were looking forward to seeing a lot of people enjoying themselves.”
A free children’s fun day is also coming to Rippleside Park from 11am to 4pm, including free rides, entertainment and a grand parade featuring many floats.
– Jena Carr
