Local council’s will be holding a range of Australia Day ceremonies and events across the Northern Rivers celebrating Australia Day and recognising that it is for many also the day that Australia was invaded.
Byron Shire
Survival Day will be held at Apex Park, Bay Street, Byron Bay from 11am to 2pm on January 26. You can join Sisters for Reconciliation and Byron Shire Council (BSC) for music, speeches, stalls and more. The event will start with a Welcome to Country at 11am and ‘is a vibrant reminder of resilience and unity, where the spirit of the land and its people come alive in a tapestry of culture and celebration,’ state the BSC.
Big Splash in Mullumbimby is a free community day at the Mullumbimby Petra Thomas Memorial swimming pool from 11am to 4pm. There will be inflatable obstacles, fun slides, face painting, indigenous craft, sausage sizzle and icy poles so come and enjoy the fun.
Ocean Shores will see the World Championship Mullet Throwing competition with competitors flexing their fish arms in the hopes of taking home a championship win. The Mullet Throw be held at the Ocean Shores Public School from 3pm on Sunday – everyone is welcome. Enquiries can be made by calling or texting 0431 477 445.
Tweed Shire
Tweed Shire Council Australia Day Awards are being held today (Friday, January 24) in Murwillumbah followed by a number of events throughout the Tweed Shire on Sunday, 26 January.
Crabbes Creek Community Hall Association is hosting the Crabbes Creek community Aussie day breakfast from 8am to 12 noon. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, music, and awards and celebrate Australia Day Crabbes Creek style.
Murwillumbah swim – take the time for a swim at the free community event being held at the Murwillumbah Swimming Pool that is being hosted by Rotary. Come along and enjoy a dip for free between 9am and 1pm.
Tyalgum is once again hosting its Annual Australia Day celebration from 9.30am at the Tyalgum Community Hall, Coolman Street, Tyalgum.
The flag raising will be followed by the decorated bike parade, then community awards before morning tea and raffle draws.
Lismore and Ballina Councils are both holding citizenship ceremonies and Australia Day Awards to recognise the achievements of their local community members.
Lismore City
The 2025 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony will occur on Sunday, 26 January, at 9am at the Whitebrook Theatre, Southern Cross University. The day will begin with a Welcome to Country, followed by the presentation of the Australia Day Awards.
Geoff Coombes OAM, the 2025 Australia Day Ambassador and co-founder of Tour de Cure, will deliver an inspiring keynote speech about his journey in raising over $140 million for cancer research.
The event will also include the Citizenship Ceremony, where 16 new citizens from 12 countries will officially join the Lismore community.
Ballina Shire
Ballina’s official Australia Day Ceremony will be held on Sunday 26 January, commencing at 9am inside the Lennox Head Cultural Centre and everyone is invited to attend.
The event will run from 9am till 11am and will include teh citizenship ceremony, a performance and the announcement of the 2025 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards.
Transport is available for those unable to drive to the venue. For details, please contact Council’s Communications Team at 1300 864 444.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
