07 January 2010
CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA DAY THE
PARRAMATTA WAY - WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!
Parramatta City Council will host one of the biggest Australia Day celebrations in the country on
Tuesday 26 January in Parramatta Park, with 15 hours of live music and entertainment, free
workshops, activities and displays, international food and much more for the whole family to
enjoy.
The day will begin at 6am with 18 colourful hot air balloons ascending into the dawn skies, a
landmark Australia Day tradition in Parramatta since 1985. Benita Collings a presenter on Play
School and Jeremy Roff a Sydney athletic star will be Parramatta’s Australia Day Ambassadors.
“Australia Day has a significant meaning in Parramatta, it is a time to celebrate the important
contribution our city has made to the growth and prosperity of this nation we all call home,” said
the Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard.
“The mix of entertainment, workshops, demonstrations, kids’ activities and concert featuring
Parramatta’s Goodwill Ambassador Nathan Brake who will sing the National Anthem and
superstar Jessica Mauboy will ensure a great day out for the whole family,” Cr Garrard said.
Following on from the morning’s Aerial Carnivale, the Village Hub will bring Parramatta Park to
life from 10am to 5pm, with a mix of music, kids’ rides, sheep-shearing, food and wine tasting,
fly ball dog demonstrations, animal encounters and much more.
As the sun sets, the family concert will begin at 6pm when comedian Tahir hosts three hours of
entertainment, including popular children’s performer Justine Clarke, classic 70s hits from the
Robertson Brothers and Korean drumming masters Taik Oz.
Star of Bran Nue Dae and ARIA winner Jessica Mauboy will take centre stage as the headline
act of the evening, and the Australia Day celebrations will conclude with a spectacular fireworks
display at 9pm.
“This year, Parramatta City Council has made our Australia Day celebrations all about families, I
would like to invite all of our residents to join us in Parramatta and celebrate our national
achievements in Parramatta Park – where the story of our great nation began,” said Cr Garrard.
Parramatta’s 2010 Australia Day celebrations are presented by Parramatta City Council and
sponsored by Integral Energy, Elgas, Dial Before You Dig, The Sebel Parramatta and
Parramatta Park Trust. Major sponsor Integral Energy is proud to again play a key role in
Parramatta’s Australia Day celebrations in 2010, which aims to inspire national spirit and unite
the community.
Please note the Parramatta Australia Day event is a NO GLASS IN THE PARK event, all
glass will be confiscated and can be reclaimed on exit.
For more information about Parramatta Australia Day celebrations or for a list of the full
For interviews and further media information:
Parramatta City Council Communications Coordinator Casli Mehmed Tel: 9806 5438
Mob: 0401 696 791 Email: cmehmed@parracity.nsw.gov.au
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