Bayside City Council will mark Australia Day with our annual flag raising and citizenship ceremony.
On 26 January, we will conduct our flag raising ceremony and welcome new Australian citizens, who will pledge to continue making Australia a peaceful and cohesive place to live, work and play.
This year's Australia Day citizenship ceremony will be held at Brighton Town Hall and will welcome 100 new citizens, from 23 countries, who now call Australia home.
Australia Day is a day to recognise the contribution of all Australians from many different backgrounds and cultures.
It is also an opportunity to acknowledge and reflect on why 26 January is not a day of celebration for some people, especially First Nations peoples.
Bayside Mayor, Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes emphasised the importance of approaching Australia Day with empathy and understanding.
"Australia Day is a day to embrace our shared values, our diversity, fostering unity and national pride. It is a time to reflect on our past, on the journeys of our great people who make up the rich tapestry of this wonderful land," said Cr Taylor-Haynes
"We look forward to welcoming our newest members to the Bayside community, as they unify taking the pledge to become Australians. We look forward to celebrating our future and our potential together," said Cr Taylor-Haynes
Council services and facilities will be closed for the Australia Day public holiday on Monday 26 January.
This includes our Corporate Centre, all four Bayside Library branches, our Maternal and Child Health Centres, and the Bayside Waste and Recycling Centre.
While libraries will be closed, you will still be able to return borrowed materials via the book return chutes. Hampton Library will also be available for registered users of 'Branch Out'.
Our 24-hour contact line will be available at (03) 9599 4444 for urgent requests.
