ORGANISERS of the 2022 Australian Day functions in Taree need to raise $12,000 to fund a fireworks display.
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As previously reported, the January 26 celebration to be held at the RiverStage in Queen Elizabeth Park, Taree, will be divided into two sections.
The first, to start at 9am, will be devoted to the Australia Day awards and a citizenship ceremony. The second, from 5pm, will be a concert featuring local talent. Under the plan this will culminate in a fireworks display from 9pm. As has been the case for the past two years, the Australia Day program is being organised by the Combined Services Clubs of Taree, with input from Rotary, Lions and Quota.
There is funding available through the Australia Day Council for Australia Day events, however, this will not be enough cover fireworks, organising committee chairwoman Rhonda Futterleib said.
"We need to raise $12,000 and we're hoping the business community will help out,'' she said.
"We hope 24 businesses will donate $500.''
Mrs Futterleib said the Business Chamber and the Team Taree group will be approached to assist.
She can be contacted at 6539 5300 during office hours for further information.
This followed MidCoast Council's decision to link its Australia Day celebrations with the Saltwater Freshwater Festival, held in January 2020 at Forster.
The group decided to take Australia Day back to the riverbank in 2020. Last year a concert was added to the program. However, this was held in 30 plus degree heat and the group has decided to opt for the later start next January, hopefully finishing with fireworks.
The award presentation will again feature the naming of the citizen of the year, the Manning River Times (Ken McDonald Memorial) Sportstar of the Year, community group of the year, achiever of the year and youth of the year. In one change the youth of the year is now open to anyone aged up to 25.
Nominations are now open for all categories and will close on Monday, January 10.
