Georges River Council’s Australia Day program is a month-long series of events and activities that celebrate our community’s culture, diversity, and history.

The program invites everyone to reflect, connect, and celebrate together. It includes family-friendly entertainment, cultural performances, and opportunities to learn about and recognise our Indigenous heritage.

These events focus on the values that bring us together as a community.
 

Australia Day Picnic 2026

Thank you to all who attended our Australia Day Picnic 2026 at Carss Bush Park and helped make the event a success. Catch the best moments from the day in the video below.ank you to all who attended 

The Australia Day Picnic is assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council. 
 

Australia Day Awards 2026

The Georges River Australia Day Awards are an annual awards campaign that aims to honour people who have contributed significantly to the Georges River community.

The awards are presented to community heroes in each of the following categories:

• Young Citizen of the Year.

• Volunteer of the Year.

• Citizen of the Year.

• Localability Citizen of the Year.

Awards presentation:

All winners and their nominators recieved invitations to the official awards ceremony which was held on Australia Day 26 January 2026. This is where the winners for each category were announced.
 

Australia Day Ambassador: Ms Amelia Farrugia, Opera Singer

What you’re most looking forward to on Australia Day? "I love celebrating with our new citizens, seeing their excitement and joy at becoming a part of this amazing country".

Amelia Farrugia is one of Australia’s most celebrated sopranos, acclaimed for her artistry across opera, operetta, music theatre, concert performance and recording. Since her professional debut in 1990, Amelia has enjoyed an international career that has taken her to some of the world’s most prestigious stages. In 2012 and 2015, she joined the roster of soloists at The Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Amelia’s versatility and vocal brilliance have earned her critical acclaim in productions spanning grand opera to contemporary works. She has performed with major orchestras and ensembles, appeared in televised concert events, and recorded extensively, showcasing her ability to captivate audiences with both technical mastery and emotional depth.

Beyond the stage, Amelia is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of singers. Her teaching philosophy centres on strengthening the natural beauty of the voice through solid technique, empowering singers of all styles and levels to reach their full potential. Her work reflects a passion for excellence and a belief in the transformative power of music.

As an Australia Day Ambassador, Amelia celebrates the cultural richness and creativity that define our nation. For her, being Australian means embracing diversity, sharing stories through music and inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
 

Yarn up: Celebrating Cultures and Understanding Australia Day

As part of our Australia Day program, Council partnered with Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation to deliver Yarn Up on Saturday 17 January at Carss Bush Park.

The event brought Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and allies together to celebrate and reflect on the significance of 26 January for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Featuring cultural performances, truth telling exhibition and opportunities to learn and connect together through storytelling, yarning circles and cultural activities. This event was co‑designed with Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
 

Library Showcase - Australian Stories 

Georges River Libraries celebrated Australian Stories in January 2026 across all branches and online. This included new stories from across our First Nations, Fiction, Non-Fiction and Youth collections, and connect to Australian places, voices, and culture.
 

Re-live the magic

Here’s how we celebrated Australia Day in previous years!