THE indoor soccer challenge and yabby races are just the beginning of the long list of activities on offer in Baradine for Australia Day next Thursday 26 January.

It all begins with morning tea, hosted by the Baradine Hospital Auxiliary held at the Baradine Memorial Hall at 11am.

One of many passionate Baradine Australia Day organiser's Liz Cutts says 2023 Australia Day will be one for the history books.

"We are doing a lot of activities that are not only free to the community, but will be enjoyed by all age groups, including both young and old community members," Ms Cutts said.

"Morning tea at the Baradine Memorial Hall will be followed by a free Australia Day lunch at the Baradine Memorial Hall at 1pm, further followed by the Australia Day indoor soccer challenge with trophies and fun prizes to be won which will kick off at 3:30pm.

"The Baradine Bowling Sporting Club is also hosting a waterslide from 2pm, a barbeque from 5pm with sausage sizzles and steak as well as the highly competitive yabby races starting from 6pm," she said.

The Warrumbungle Shire Council will welcome and host Australia Day Ambassador Ron Delezio in all towns located across the shire including Baradine, Coonabarabran and Binnaway.

Warrumbungle Shire Council's Australia Day Ambassador Ronald Delezio- Co- Founder & Co- Director of Day of Difference Foundation. PHOTO: Supplied.  

Ron Delezio and his wife Carolyn Martin founded the Day of Difference Foundation in 2004 after they watched their daughter Sophia Delezio fight for her life in hospital after sustaining life threatening injuries after being trapped under a crashed car at her childcare centre in Sydney. Sophia again made national headlines in 2006, after she was badly injured again in another road accident.

The Day of Difference Foundation is a not- for- profit foundation which has raised over $14 million to

reduce the incidence and impact of a child’s critical injury. Money raised has paid for urgently needed medical equipment and support for families facing similar conditions in hospitals around Australia.

Ms Cutts is honoured to host Ron Delezio in Baradine next week.

"Ron has an incredible story to tell and the Baradine community will be honoured to get to know him and show him around the community," Ms Cutts said. 

"Ron will present the Warrumbungle Shire Council award and the two Baradine Community Awards to successful recipients.

"We had a lot of nominations for the Baradine Community Awards this year, which is always great to see. Australia Day is a really important day to recognise the quiet achievers that work tirelessly to keep our small communities going. Volunteers living in small communities do not do the work they do for recognition, they do it for the love of their community and it is a great opportunity for the community to put them on a pedestal," she said.

Ms Cutts encourages the whole Baradine community to get involved on Australia Day next week.

"The Warrumbungle Shire Council was lucky enough to receive funding to host free events including the Australia Day lunch and indoor soccer challenge. Please take up the opportunity on Australia Day to get involved, get together and celebrate our nation and the pride we have for our nation," she said.