By Kara Irving
Fancy a free party this Australia Day? Then why not celebrate in true ‘ocker’ style with a series of free events across the Cardinia and Casey shires.
From live performances, free breakfast and lunches to games, movies and dance workshops residents will not be disappointed with the extensive line-up of activities sure to keep the whole family entertained
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Graeme Legge assures residents they won’t have to travel far to wave the flag, sing the national anthem or enjoy a snag.
“I encourage everyone to come along and celebrate Australia Day at one of the four gathering sites in the (Cardinia) Shire.”
City of Casey Mayor Cr Lorraine Wreford also encourages families to take part in many of the culturally inspired community events.
PAKENHAM
Cardinia Cultural Centre
11am-2pm
Head on down to the Cardinia Cultural Centre to witness the traditional Australia Day awards and citizenship ceremonies hosted by Australia Day ambassador Simon McKeon.
A free barbecue will be available following the ceremony, with face painting, an animal farm and a native plant giveaways running all day.
GUMBUYA PARK
2705 Princes Hwy, Tynong.
11am-5pm
Forget the Big Day Out- celebrate Australia’s rock and roll history by attending Gumbya Park’s annual rock ‘n’ roll day.
With performances by DJ Jeff and Susanne, bring along your mates and enjoy a barbecue within the park’s unique Australian landscape.
COCKATOO
Alma Treloar Reserve
8.30am-11am
Residents will need to rise early to catch a free barbecue breakfast complete with pancakes, sausages and fresh fruit platters.
Stick around for the flag-raising ceremony and the presentation of the Australia Day awards.
KOOWEERUP
Kooweerup Community Centre
8.30am-10.45am
Free bacon and egg breakfast and a lamington morning tea will be available for those with a sweet tooth this Australia Day.
Poetry recitals and a performance by the Kooweerup Secondary College band will feature prior to the Australia Day awards ceremony hosted by managing director of the Colonial Tramcar Restaurants and Eureka Skydeck Craig Opie.
LANG LANG
Lang Lang Memorial Hall
7.45am-10.30am
Early risers will be treated with a free community breakfast comp-lete with country music performances and appearances from the Lang Lang Cubs and Scouts, Lang Lang Primary School choir and community singers.
The annual citizenship ceremony and community achievement awards will also be announced by host of 3MP’s ‘Drive Show’ Shawn Cosgrove.
BERWICK
Pioneers Park, Peel Street, Berwick.
10am-3pm
This not-for-profit event promises a range of activities for people of all ages, including sack races, egg and spoon competitions and Cobb and Co horse carriage rides and even vintage car, machinery and wood displays. Prizes will be given away on the day, with appearances by the Berwick Rotary Club.
TOORADIN
Sawtell’s Inlet Memorial Island.
6.30pm-11.30pm
The Sunset Cinema will be showing the award-winning Pixar film ‘Up’ (rated PG) with a free barbecue for the first 500 people. Face painting, food stalls and live entertainment will also be available on the night.
CRANBOURNE
Balla Balla Centre, 65 Berwick- Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East
11am-5pm
Enjoy a free community event to celebrate the shire’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, with a series of multicultural performances hosted by Caseys’s Cultural Heritage Association of Rodriguans and Mauritians in Victoria (C.H.A.R.M). Traditional food will also be served at the event, with the first 100 visitors receiving a free barbecue sausage or vegie burger.
HAMPTON PARK
Robert Booth Reserve, Somerville Road, Hampton Park.
9am-12pm
Celebrate Australia Day with the ‘Day of Nations’ event organised by the Hampton Park Progress Association.
The morning will include a free breakfast with multicultural performances, face painting, jumping castle, animal farm, stalls from the community and much more.
DOVETON
Autumn Place Gardens, Paperbark Street.
11am-3pm
Enjoy an actively diverse day organised by Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal with multicultural food stalls, dance and musical festivals and free face painting and sporting activities.
