Wollongong City Council invites you to come and celebrate Australia Day 2011 at Wollongong Harbour and surrounding foreshore tomorrow at the family-friendly, alcohol-free event.

There is a packed program of fun activities and entertainment throughout the day and into the evening, finishing with the Integral Energy fireworks display at 9pm.

The day will kick off at 8am with the annual Illawarra Aquathon, with different divisions so the whole family can join in on the fun. The Wave FM thong throwing competition will start at 10.30am, with the thongs in the basin swimming relay and sand sculptures to keep you entertained.

As well as the old favourites, Council has exciting new activities on offer including the new Oz Ball, which lets you walk on water in a huge PVC bubble, starting at 2.30pm.

Performances on the Main Stage will keep you entertained from 12 noon, with musicians including Choir of Southern Lights, Riogh and Achtung Baby. The main stage will be located in Lang Park with Wave FM broadcasting live during the day.

Ginger Meggs will play host on the McDonald’s Children’s Stage, located in Osborne Park from 12 noon. You can practice your dance moves with Tribal Jewels Dance Company, Chilean Dancing, Zumba by Dance Space and meet more special guests until 4pm.

From 11am you can get a free health check at the ahm Active Zone in Lang Park and get some hot tips from the ahm Hawks on how to improve your basketball skills.

Council’s General Manager, David Farmer, said that the day will be filled with fun and unique activities such as the Gun Battery March and the firing of the canons.

“We have something for everyone at this year’s celebration with sheep shearing, wood chopping demonstrations and the popular Buskers Corner, which has been a great success in previous years,” said Mr Farmer.

“The BlueScope Citizenship Ceremony will start at 3pm at St Mary’s Star of the Sea College SGN Hall, where we will welcome 61 new citizens this Australia Day. Dr Alvin Quah our Australia Day Ambassador, will make his Ambassador address at the ceremony.”

“I look forward to seeing you all at this year’s Australia Day event, which is set to be the best yet,” added Mr Farmer.

Council is encouraging all residents to make a donation to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal on the day with representatives from Corrimal Rotary Club collecting money throughout the day.

The community is asked to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and wear sun protection at Council’s Australia Day event.

For more information about the Australia Day event, collect a brochure at Council’s Administration Building, central and branch libraries or visit Council’s website www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au

We would like to thank our sponsors:

Integral Energy
McDonald’s Illawarra
Kells the Lawyers, Gujarat NRE, D & D Traffic Management
BlueScope Steel, Horizon Credit Union
Woolworths, SES, Australia Day Committee