There’s more than a free BBQ breakfast to look forward to this Australia Day in Narromine, with the community busily preparing for what will be an Australia Day to remember. 

The official ceremony will include a Mayoral welcome, an Ambassador’s address, a citizenship ceremony, awards presentation and, for something different, a watermelon eating contest!

A huge welcome is expected to be given to this year’s Ambassador who is setting out to spark the interest of locals, particularly children, in the wonder and mystery of the night sky. 

“Donna the Astronomer, as she is affectionately known, was recognised for being the first Australian woman to discover two comets and she is great at sharing her knowledge and inspiring audiences with ancient stories of the night sky,” said Belinda Barlow, Narromine’s Economic Development Officer.

Donna is an astronomer and science communicator passionate about astronomy and has made it her life’s work. 

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Donna the Astronomer’ is Narromine’s 2023 Australia Day Ambassador who is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and ancient stories of the night sky. Donna works  out of the Milroy Observatory in Coonabarabran and was the first Australian woman to discover two comets.

Her belief is that we all share the same sky and no matter where or who we are – we can go out at night and know that others are looking up at the same wonders.

Donna was honoured to be featured as one of the 2019 Legends of the Bush in the 2019 RM Williams Great Australian magazine and in 2021, she was featured in a beautiful book ‘Classic Agenda Heroes’.

“We are very excited to welcome Donna to Narromine for this year’s event,” said Ms Barlow.

The day won’t stop with Donna, however.

“A large awards ceremony to recognise the hardworking, community-oriented groups and individuals of the community is always the main feature of the day,” said Ms Barlow.

This year’s categories include: 

• Citizen of the Year 
• Senior Sports Award
• Senior Citizen of the Year
• Junior Citizen of the Year 
• Junior Sports Award
• Community Event of the Year
• Children’s Champion Award

“From 11am onwards, there will also be free entry to the Narromine Aquatic Centre and Inflatable Day at the Pool will be made available to locals to encourage some family fun,” said Ms Barlow. 

“We’ve got plenty of inflatables for the kids and lots of activities throughout the day,” she said. 

Australia Day celebrations will kick off at 8am at Dundas park with a free BBQ breakfast before the official ceremony begins.