Join in the 2026 Australia Day Celebrations across Baw Baw

Everyone is invited to join in the many free and family-friendly celebrations taking place across Baw Baw Shire this Australia Day. 

Mayor Cr Kate Wilson reminds us that Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on the history and future of our nation; to pay respect to the cultures and contributions of Australia’s First Nations people and to celebrate what it means to be Australian.  

“Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our shared experiences, our unique stories and our hopes for the future,” says Cr Wilson. 

“We recognise the complex truth of Australia Day and that it holds different meaning for different parts of our community. 

“So, in whatever way is meaningful to you, I hope you are able to reflect and connect with family and friends this Australia Day and to join in one of the many wonderful community events being held across the Baw Baw Shire. 

“I would like to send a big thank you to the local community groups and volunteers who work hard to bring these events to life and to whose contributions help make Baw Baw such a beautiful place to live.” 

Local community celebrations

Free and family-friendly community celebration will be held on Monday, 26 January at the following locations: 

• Aberfeldy: 11:00am - 4:00pm at Clarke's Flat Cabins (270 Donnelly's Creek Rd, Aberfeldy)  

• Darnum/Cloverlea: 12:00pm at the Darnum Stump BBQ Area  

• Drouin: 8.30am - 12.00pm at Civic Park  

• Erica: 11.00am - 3.00pm at Erica Hall  

• Hill End: 6:00pm onwards, Hill End Community Centre (formerly Old Hill End School)   

• Jindivick: 6:00pm at the Jindivick Hall  

• Labertouche: 1.00pm and 5:30pm onwards at the Labertouche Community Centre  

• Longwarry: 11:00am – 2.00pm at Bennett Street Park  

• Narracan: 7:00pm at the Narracan Hall  

• Neerim South: 4:30pm at Craig Watts Skate Park  

• Shady Creek: 12:00pm at the Shady Creek Hall  

• Tanjil South: 12:00pm – 5.00pm at the Tanjil South Hall  

• Tetoora Road: 4:00pm - 7:00pm at the Tetoora Road Community Centre  

• Trafalgar: 8:00am – 10.30am at the Trafalgar Public Hall  

• Warragul: 11:30am - 1:00pm West Gippsland Arts Centre Forecourt (12.45pm flag raising)     

• Yarragon: 8:30am Market Street Park (corner Market and Murray Streets)  

For full details on each community celebration, go to the Australia Day Community Events page on Council’s website. 

Citizenship Ceremony 

When: 11.00am – 12.15pm on Monday, 26 January 
Where:  Fountain Room, West Gippsland Arts Centre 

Hosted by Mayor Cr Kate Wilson, this ceremony will formally welcome our newest local Australians as they take the citizenship pledge and receive their official Certificate of Australian Citizenship.  

An Australia Day celebration in Warragul will then commence from 11:30am, at the West Gippsland Arts Centre forecourt.  

Enjoy live music from the Warragul Municipal Band, face painting, lawn games, free family-friendly entertainment and activities by Fiddlesticks and a free community BBQ hosted by the Warragul Lions Club. 

The flag-raising ceremony will take place at 12:45pm. 

Australia Day Awards  

When: 6.00pm on Thursday, 22 January 
Where: Fountain Room, West Gippsland Arts Centre 

Hosted by Mayor Cr Kate Wilson these annual awards honour and acknowledge those who have made outstanding contributions to Baw Baw’s community life in areas such as arts and culture, sport and recreation, business, the environment or any other area that contributes to the wellbeing of our community.  

Awards will be announced in the following categories: 

• Citizen of the year 

• Young citizen of the year 

• Community event of the year 

Several Australia Day Medallions will also be awarded. 

Note: This event is being held on Thursday 22 January, prior to Australia Day.