Close to 200 people will become new citizens in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie on Thursday as Australia Day celebrations get underway.
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Newcastle City Council’s traditional Australian Day citizenship ceremony will be staged at City Hall at 9am.
The City of Newcastle Citizen, Young Citizen and Community Group of the Year will also be named.
Paddle4Good, a community paddle from Carrington Beach, starts off outdoor activities at 9am and the Honeysuckle Precinct will be abuzz with entertainment for all ages between 10am and 3pm.
There will be a kids’ play zone, Rosie's School of Rock Future Rockstars concert, food and market stalls and the Sky Aces Aerobatics Show.
Lake Festival
There will be kids’ activities, a free movie screening and a concert appearance by Pseudo Echo at the Lake Mac Festival at Speers Point Park, starting at noon with a flag-raising ceremony.
Special guests Pseudo Echo and Lisa Hunt will take to the stage from 6.30pm and fireworks display will conclude the Festival around 9pm.
Speers Point Swim Centre will also host Endless Summer Days from noon-4pm.
Lake awards
John Cleary, chief executive officer of the Newcastle Anglican Schools Corporation, was named Citizen of the Year at the Lake Macquarie Australia Day Awards announced Monday.
Mr Cleary played a significant role in giving victims of childhood sexual abuse a voice by bringing to light the issues of childhood sexual abuse within the Anglican Church.
Toby Kable was named young citizen of the year for his contribution to people living with an intellectual disability within the Lake Macquarie area.
Kayla Berry and Grace Turbit jointly won Junior Young Citizen of the Year and Frank Mieszala was named volunteer of the year.
Cardiff Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group, Wangi Centenary Celebrations and Cupcakes for Kids with Cancer all earned honours for their community efforts.