The third largest shire in the state, the Walgett Shire is gearing up to celebrate a refreshing Australia Day on Thursday 26 January.

The Australia Day ceremony will be held at Lightning Ridge this year. Beginning at the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club at 8:30am for the breakfast and awards ceremony. Special guest and Australia Day Ambassador John Wearne AM will also be present.

The Walgett Shire Council's Australia Day Ambassador John Wearne AM will be front and centre of Walgett Shire Council's event, alongside Walgett Shire Council Mayor Jane Keir OAM to present the Australia Day awards.

The Australia Day award categories include Youth Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Event of the Year and Health Professional of the Year. 

Walgett Shire Council Mayor Jane Keir OAM is pleased to celebrate Australia Day after what has been a difficult few years.

"In the past years Australia has faced immense challenges - drought, floods, and the coronavirus pandemic," Mrs Keir said.

"We all have different stories to share about this country and Australia Day is an opportunity to remember how fortunate we are to live together here in Australia and how lucky we are to live in our diverse and unique Local Government Area, the Walgett Shire. I know that Lightning Ridge will put on a memorable day and having John here just makes it all the more special," she said.

Following the breakfast and awards ceremony, community members are encouraged to keep their cool and head down to their local pool facilities.

Free swims

For the first time this Australia Day, all three towns within the Walgett Shire - Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenabri, will have free access into local pools on Australia Day and for the next three days following.

General Manager of the Walgett Shire Council Michael Urquhart hopes to encourage communities to enjoy the Shire's facilities and events this upcoming Australia Day.

"The day will be special with the ceremony and breakfast at the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club from 8.30am followed by free pool entry at all pools in the Walgett Shire. The larger communities of Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri will have an afternoon BBQ, prizes and games for all and this will be delivered by the community and youth development teams of Council," he said.

"As an added engagement of our residents this year and considering the current warm temperatures we are also offering free entry to all our pools right up to and including Sunday 29th January 2023," Mr Urquhart said.

Walgett Shire Council Ambassador: John Wearne AM

Mr. John Wearne AM was born in Bingara where he lived much of his life, until relocating to Armidale late in 2018.

He has had a lifetime’s experience in community organisation, development, and advocacy, he served for 17 years on Bingara Shire Council, including five as Mayor.

Nationally, he served two terms as Senior Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association. He was Chair of the NSW Local Government Roads and Transport Committee, held the National Transport Portfolio for the Australian Local Government Association, and was their Delegate to the Austroads Council and the Australian Ministerial Transport Council.

ABOVE: 2023 Australia Day Ambassador John Wearne AM will be visiting Lightning Ridge this year to present awards. PHOTO: Walgett Shire Council.

He also represented local government on the RTA Advisory Committee and chaired the ALGA National Local Roads Committee following prominent involvement in the Rural Local Roads Congresses at Moree, Mildura, and Toowoomba, which designed the ground-breaking Roads to Recovery program.

From 1999 to 2005 he was a Commissioner on the National Road Transport Commission and the National Transport Commission, which develops and makes recommendations to all State, Territory and Federal Ministers on the regulatory reform of the road, rail, and maritime systems.

Meet John and celebrate your Aussie-ness on Thursday morning at the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club.