Australia Day celebrations go virtual as 2022 parade cancelled

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Wingecarribee Shire Council will proceed with a virtual ceremony on January 26 due to the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

Council's general manager Ms Lisa Miscamble said they made the difficult decisions to scale back this year's Australia Day celebrations in consultation with event organisers.

"When making the decision we considered numerous factors including the increase of COVID-19 case numbers across the state," she said.

"It was agreed that public safety was of paramount importance."

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However, the Citizenship Ceremony and announcement of the Shire's Australia Day Citizen of the Year recipients will still take place.

Both the Citizenship Ceremony and Citizen of the Year announcements will be live-streamed via the council's website from 10 am on Wednesday January 26, 2022.

Ms Miscamble said that while celebrations were set to look a little different from previous years it was still important to acknowledge the occasion.

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"It's equally important that we recognise those citizens in our community that have gone above-and-beyond for our Shire and welcome our newest residents," she said.

"While this year's celebrations may be more subdued than previous years, it will be no less important."

Mr Amar Singh, the founder of Turbans 4 Australia, is set to join the virtual celebrations as the Shire's 2022 Australia Day Ambassador.

For more information visit the council's website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/australia-day or phone 4868 0888.

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