Dubbo Regional Council determined at its December Ordinary Council meeting on Thursday, 8 December 2022 that new trial events will be implemented to mark Australia Day 2023 in Dubbo and Wellington.
Both events will also include a presentation by a local Aboriginal Elder and multicultural food stalls. A community consultation period will take place following the events to gauge feedback and expectations. The proceedings will include a trial twilight event in Wellington on Wednesday, 25 January while a ceremony will be held in Dubbo on Thursday, 26 January.
Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, Councillor Mathew Dickerson supported the decision to trial these events. "The Dubbo Region is a multicultural community and we want to be inclusive in our Australia Day events and showcase modern day Australia."
"The twilight event will allow community members the option of attending a ceremony outside of work hours, without impacting their Public Holiday" Councillor Dickerson said. "We are looking forward to hearing feedback from the community regarding how they want to celebrate Australia Day in the Dubbo Region."
Dubbo Regional Council sought to move all Australia Day events to 25 January, however discussions with the Department of Home Affairs clarified that a twilight event for Dubbo is not possible as towns and cities with more than 20 new citizens a year must hold a ceremony on Australia Day.
Quoting from the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code: "Local government councils must hold a citizenship ceremony on 26 January as part of their Australia Day celebrations. Councils that conferred citizenship on less than 20 people in the previous year are exempt from this requirement."
Council is also calling for nominations for the Australia Day Awards for 2023 in Dubbo and Wellington, with nomination forms now available on Council's website.
There are many worthy volunteers in our community, and the awards are a great way to recognise their contributions.
To nominate someone for an Australia Day award visit the website: https://www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/Community-Groups/Community-Awards-and-Tours/australia-day-awards
Further details about the region's 2023 Australia Day events will be shared with the community in due course.
