The annual Australia Day ceremony will be hosted by the Manning Historical Society on behalf of Greater Taree City Council and will feature the flag raising as well as addresses by Wingham High School captains who will speak about what Australia Day means to them. Wingham Rotary Club will provide a free breakfast between 7.30 and 9.30am. This will be followed by the presentation of Wingham’s citizen of the year, young achiever of the year, pride in workmanship award and sportsperson of the year. Because of the wet weather, the ceremony will be held at Wingham Town Hall, not at Central Park as originally planned.

Wingham joins other communities in the Manning Valley with celebratory Australian Day ceremonies like Old Bar and Hallidays Point on the beach, who will begin their festivities at 7.30am with a free breakfast, flag raising and presentation of Citizen of the Year.

Harrington’s ceremony will begin 8.15am at the Memorial Hall with a free breakfast. 9.30am flag raising, Australia Day guest speaker, community awards and events and activities in the day.

Locals at Fotheringham Park in Taree will enjoy their free breakfast from 7.30am. The park will come alive with entertainment during the Saltwater Fresh Water Festival including a performance by the Gymaroos, the Wingham Pipe Band and Taree City Band. An Australia Day guest speaker will address the crowd with the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Australia Day Sports Person of the Year being awarded. A naturalisation (citizenship) ceremony will also take place.