Australia Day

Next date: Monday, 26 January 2026 | 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Australia Day

Reflect. Respect. Celebrate.

Each Australia Day, the community is encouraged to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate our nation and our people – especially our strong sense of community as we work towards reconnecting.

Australia Day is a time to recognise the resilience of all Australians and to focus on what we can achieve when we move forward as a community and a unified nation.

Australia Day means different things to different people, and everyone is encouraged to acknowledge Australia Day in a way that’s meaningful to them. We acknowledge the significant contribution that everyone makes to our nation, from First Nations people who have lived here for 65,000 years to our newest citizens who call Australia home.

Australia Day is an opportunity to celebrate our cultural diversity and rich migrant heritage, which is very much part of our unique Australian identity and has helped shape a nation proud of its strong and successful multiculturalism.

Regardless of our origins or our past, it’s a day for Australians from all backgrounds and communities to come together to share stories, embrace our diversity, and celebrate our unity.

Australia Day in Bathurst

Each year Bathurst Regional Council Reflect, Respect and Celebrate Australia Day with a number of community events and activities. New citizens in our community are welcomed at the annual Citizenship Ceremony and the Bathurst Australia Day Awards see members of the local community recognised for the contributions and achievements.

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What's On

Plus, make the most of the Australia Day long weekend and explore the region.

For more things to do visit the Bathurst Region website here.

Bathurst’s Australia Day events are assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

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Australia Day Ambassador

 

We’re honoured to have Ms Catriona Rowntree as our Australia Day Ambassador for 2026.

Catriona Rowntree is known as The Queen of Travel, with this year marking 30 years on Australia’s longest-running travel show, Getaway. When first offered the role, she was simply hoping to make it through a six-week contract while juggling work on Triple J radio and children’s programs Wonder World and What’s Up Doc. Three decades later, Catriona has become one of Australia’s most loved television personalities, inspiring audiences with her passion for storytelling and adventure.

Her love of communication was evident early on - something her mum Heather, a fellow travel enthusiast, recognised when she enrolled young Catriona in Speech and Drama classes to channel her endless chatter. After school, Catriona studied Journalism at Macleay College, paving the way for a career that began in newsrooms and community radio before moving to national broadcasting. By 1996, she had secured the role that would define her career-roaming the world for Getaway.

Beyond television, Catriona is a mum, farmer’s wife, wool designer and now a qualified pilot. During COVID, she launched Find My Country Home, a program showcasing the charm of regional living. Filmed in towns like Bathurst, the show now reaches a global audience of half a billion viewers weekly, proving that everyone dreams of a life in the country.

Catriona’s advocacy for rural communities and sustainable farming is personal. She is an Australian Landcare Ambassador, supports Australian Wool Innovation, and regularly speaks at major agricultural events. She also champions charities including Mission Australia, the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, and the Arnott’s Foundation.

For Catriona, being an Australia Day Ambassador is about celebrating the values that unite us- respect, resilience and mateship- and connecting with communities across NSW. She looks forward to sharing stories, enjoying a cuppa with locals, and reminding Australians that the greatest journeys often begin at home.

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Australia Day Awards

Do you know of an exceptional individual in the Bathurst community who has contributed to the great city in which we live or know of an event that highlighted our community spirit? Here is your chance to recognise them.

• Citizen of the Year Award - nominations closed
• Living Legends - nominations closed
• Youth Arts Award - nominations closed
• Youth Community Service Award - nominations closed
• Event of the Year Awards – destination, community and new - nominations closed

Find out more

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