Griffith City Council’s Australia Day Committee chairwoman Christine Stead is encouraging residents to embrace the day and celebrate as a community.

The Griffith City Band and Sing Australia Choir will have the entertainment in full swing at the showground throughout the morning before the presentation of awards to worthy citizens.

Presentation of sports awards will begin at 10.30am before the 11am start of the general Australia Day awards.

There are five nominees for Junior Citizen of the Year, six nominees for Citizen of the Year and four nominations for Community Event of the Year.

Forty new citizens will take the pledge from 11.40am to conclude the day’s events.

Griffith mayor John Dal Broi said the day was a time to celebrate Australia’s freedom.

“Australia Day to me symbolises a day where we celebrate our history and our heritage,” he said.

“We can reflect on the way of life we have in Australia, which we enjoy but we have to protect. We are still a very lucky country.”

Councillor Dal Broi said he was looking forward to welcoming Australia’s newest citizens.

“We always welcome people from other countries,” he said.

“We ask them to respect our country in a peaceful way and value what we have here.”

For more information, phone council on 6982 8100.