Australia Day at Woy Woy and Wagstaffe

Wagstaffe and Woy Woy will host Australia Day activities on Thursday, January 26, in line with this year's theme, Make Your Mark Australia.

The theme aims to encourage people to think about how they would make their mark on the nation, according to Gosford mayor Cr Laurie Maher.

Cr Maher, Gosford Australia Day Committee chairperson Cr Jim Macfadyen and Australia Day ambassador Ms Judy Stone will attend both ceremonies.

Wagstaffe will host an official ceremony with guest speakers, light entertainment and a flag raising, followed by Breakfast by the Bay between 8am and 10.30am.

Woy Woy will begin its festivities from 4pm with children's activities taking place in the CWA Hall until 6pm including a colouring-in competition, face painting, games and hand printing.

An acoustic stage in Memorial Park will feature a variety of blues and folk music.

The park will also light up with a display of handheld lanterns made by children taking part in the Summer in the City workshops.

Entertainment on the main stage at The Boulevarde will commence at 4pm with a range of local acts.

An official ceremony at 6pm will feature acts such as the Duelling Pianos and the Five Lands Band, which will lead up to a fireworks display at 9.15pm.

Cr Maher said the annual celebration was a great day for Gosford to let its community spirit shine.

"Celebrating Australia Day with us at Wagstaffe and Woy Woy is a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to the area to get together and be proud and thankful for the Australia we live in today."

Cr Maher said that while it was a day to celebrate Australia and everything that made it great, a number of new members would also be welcomed into the community.

"We will be holding our annual Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at the Laycock St Theatre at 9.30am which will see 108 people from 28 different countries receiving Australian citizenship," said Cr Maher.

Media Release, 17 Jan 2012 Gosford Council Media Photo: Mark Ellis