Taree

AUSTRALIA Day in Taree will begin at 7.30am on the lawn outside the Manning Entertainment Centre, with a free breakfast and entertainment featuring Wingham Pipes and Drums, Greater Taree City Band, and the Gymaroos' gymnastic display. Australia Day ambassador Howard Croker will address the crowd, and the Australia Day awards will be presented.

Wingham

CELEBRATIONS start at 7.30am at Central Park, with free sausage sizzle courtesy of Rotary Club of Wingham. The ceremony commences 8am and will be lead by master of ceremonies Eric Richardson.

Old Bar

OLD Bar Public School is the location for this year's Australia Day celebrations.

Activities start at 7am with a free breakfast before the 8am flag raising, addresses by member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead and councillor Kathryn Bell, Old Bar and Mitchells Island school leaders and the presentation of the Old Bar Citizen of the Year and Youth of the Year.

Harrington

A free breakfast will take place at the Harrington Memorial Hall from 7am, with the official activities to start at 8am, which include a flag raising, guest speakers and community awards.

Hallidays Point

A 'free breakfast on the beach' will be held at Black Head Beach from 7am, following at 8am by the flag raising, welcome address by councillor Alan Tickle, an address by Lions ambassador and presentation to the Lions Club Citizen of the Year.

The ceremony has been organised by the Hallidays Point Lions Club.

AUSTRALIA'S newest citizens will take centre stage in the Manning Valley when it joins towns and regions around the nation to celebrate Australia Day and mark 65 years of Australian citizenship.

"For those becoming an Australian citizen, it is a particularly significant occasion," said Greater Taree City mayor Paul Hogan.

"It marks the final stage of their migrant journey as they pledge their commitment to Australia and its people, and accept the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship."

Eleven people from five nations will become Australian citizens in Taree's formal ceremony from 9am on Sunday in the main auditorium of the Manning Entertainment Centre.

"The community of the Manning Valley welcomes its newest citizens and wishes them well as they take this important and final step to officially join the Australian family.

"The Manning Valley community is proud and excited to welcome 11 of our newest citizens."

The status of Australian citizenship was created by the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948, which came into force on January 26, 1949.

This Australia Day kicks off year-long festivities to mark the 65th anniversary with a record-breaking 17,863 people expected to become Australian citizens around the nation.

Australia Day 2014 will be celebrated across the Manning Valley in various locations all kicking off with a flag raising and formal ceremony (guest speakers and community awards)

"I encourage the entire community to join in their local Australia Day events across the Manning Valley, and celebrate all that is great about our nation," he said.

Taree

Australia Day is Taree will begin at 7:30am on the lawn outside the Manning Entertainment Centre, with a free breakfast (sausage sizzle, damper, coffee, tea and juice) and entertainment featuring Wingham Pipes and Drums, Greater Taree City Band, and the Gymaroos gymnastic display.

The official ceremony will begin inside at 9am with Biripi elder Aunty Barbara Clarke, OAM performing a traditional Welcome to Country, followed by the flag placement by the Wingham Scouts, and an address by mayor Paul Hogan.

The young speaker's address will be given by Chatham High School captain Daniel Jacobs and vice-captain Taylah Davey, followed by the citizenship and public affirmation ceremonies.

Australia Day ambassador Howard Croker will address the crowd, and the Australia Day awards will be presented in the categories of Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, The Ken McDonald Memorial Sportstar of the Year and Community Event of the Year.

The Australia Day celebrations have been moved from the traditional location of the Taree riverbank and a council representative indicating it was in response to feedback about how hot the riverbank has been and the difficulties with logistics given the inclement weather the past couple of years.

Wingham

Celebrations commence at 7:30am at Central Park, Wingham, with free sausage sizzle courtesy of Rotary Club of Wingham.

The ceremony commences 8am and will be lead by master of ceremonies Eric Richardson.

Greater Taree City deputy mayor, councillor Robyn Jenkins will give the official welcome, Wingham Scouts will raise the flag and an address will be given by Wingham High captains Eddi Raglus and Nash McPherson.

Wingham Rotary Club will give the awards presentation before the national anthem, leay by Jillian Dunn.

Music for the celebration will be provided by Wingham Services Pipes and Drums and sound by Wingham RSL Sub-Branch.

Old Bar

Old Bar Public School is the location for this year's Australia Day celebrations.

Activities start at 7am with a free breakfast before the 8am flag raising, addresses by member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead and councillor Kathryn Bell, Old Bar and Mitchells Island school leaders and the presentation of the Old Bar Citizen of the Year and Youth of the Year.

The celebrations have been organised by the Old Bar Lions Club, who look forward to seeing people there.

Harrington

A free breakfast will take place at the Harrington Memorial Hall from 7am, with the official activities to start at 8am, which include a flag raising, guest speakers and community awards.

Hallidays Point

A 'free breakfast on the beach' will be held at Black Head Beach from 7am, following at 8am by the flag raising, welcome address by councillor Alan Tickle, an address by Lions ambassador and presentation to the Lions Club Citizen of the Year. The ceremony has been organised by the Hallidays Point Lions Club.

Great Lakes

Great Lakes Council invites the community to attend the official Australia Day ceremony at Club Forster commencing at 10.30am with free morning tea. The announcement of the Great Lakes Australia Day Awards, a special Citizenship Ceremony and the primary schools e-Calendar awards will take place. Sarah Garnett, Founder of The Footpath Library is Great Lakes Council's Australia Day ambassador.