Albury's Australia Day festivities will have a major break with tradition this year and not be held at Noreuil Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The event, which will retain regular features including a citizenship ceremony and Albury Awards presentations, has been transferred to the Botanic Gardens in order to reduce health concerns associated with COVID-19.
The council's events team leader Ros Walls confirmed the venue change and members of the public were still able to attend.
"Due to C0VID-19 and in order to minimise the health risk to our community, Albury's Australia Day ceremonial celebrations will be held in a COVID-safe, controlled setting under the shade of the Elm Avenue trees at the Albury Botanic Gardens," she said.
"Members of the community are welcome to attend and it is recommended that they bring a chair or picnic rug as seating and capacity will be limited.
"Although traditional celebrations will not be held at Noreuil Park this Australia Day, the area remains a gazetted alcohol-free space on Australia Day to ensure families can enjoy the riverside in a safe and positive way."
IN OTHER NEWS
Capacity for a crowd of 600 people has been provided and attendees are urged to socially distance and QR code registration required.
Wodonga Council is holding an online event live streamed from The Cube.
Indigo Shire has confirmed Australia Day events at Barnawartha, Rutherglen, Beechworth, Chiltern, Wahgunyah, Yackandandah and Kiewa will be going ahead.
All attendees are required to register on arrival via QR code, preferred, or on a written list.
Federation Council celebrations will go ahead at Urana and Greater Hume festivities are being staged at Walbundrie.
Wangaratta Council is still to decide on the format for its event with an indoor event at the city's Performing Arts Centre under consideration.
Ms Walls said the Albury citizenship ceremony would commence at 10am followed by the presentation of the Albury Awards.
"Conferees to take the oath of Australian citizenship include people from India, Bhutan, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, New Zealand, Taiwan, America, the Philippines, China, Ireland and Nepal," she said.
"The traditional presentation of awards to Albury's Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Group of the Year and Volunteer of the Year will then follow, with 11 quality nominations received."
