Australia Day celebrations unveiled

Canberra's Australia Day celebrations will include a wheelchair track meet, a concert, a free breakfast and a spectacular fireworks finale, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher announced today.

"Australia Day is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate and display the pride we share in our national identity," Ms Gallagher said.

A diverse program has been developed in association with the National Australia Day Council and community groups. Celebrations begin on 22 January with the GIO Summer Down Under Wheelchair Track Meet at the AIS and the Australian National Botanic Gardens' Summer Sounds concert.

The Australia Day eve celebrations kick off on the Parliament House lawns with the announcement of the Australian of the Year awards followed by the popular Australia Celebrates Live concert featuring INXS, Spiderbait, Sneaky Sound System and the Potbelleez.

The Chief Minister urged Canberrans to join in celebrating what makes Australia great at Australia Day in the Park, now at the new venue of Rond Terrace in Commonwealth Park. Activities include:

• The Great Aussie Day Breakfast presented by ActewAGL and Fyshwick Fresh Food.
• A children's concert featuring the Fireman Sam Show and Kiwi G along with bushcraft, Aussie faces and tattoos, rides and children's activities.

"Stay in the park to enjoy the Flag Raising Ceremony, the fly over and 21 Gun Salute as well as the Australian Citizenship Ceremony. As the sun sets on Australia Day 2012, make your way to Regatta Point and enjoy the Fireworks Spectacular."

The Chief Minister was pleased to welcome author Mr Bryce Courtenay as the ACT's Australia Day Ambassador. The program is supported by Woolworths and enables high achieving Australians to share the pride they have in being Australian with their local community.

To view the full program of events visit www.australiaday.org.au/act