Australia Day Citizens Ceremony and Celebration

Family attending the Australia Day Celebrations in Berrima on 26 January 2024 with their pet dog

Wingecarribee's 2024 Australia Day celebrations began with a Citizenship Ceremony at the Market Place Public Reserve on 26 January 2024 to welcome many new citizens to the region.

Residents, friends and families enjoyed the beautiful Summer's day with a variety of venue pop-ups, picnics in the park, and family friendly attractions.

The Southern Highlands community family fun day returned to the historic township of Berrima this Australia Day and lots of peopled joined the celebrations.

Dennis and Uta Purcell named 2024 Joint Citizen of the Year

Dennis and Uta Purcell Winners of the 2024 Citizen of the Year at the Award Ceremony in Berrima 26 January 2024

Pictured: Wingecarribee's 2024 Joint Citizens of the Year Dennis and Uta Purcell.

Working in harmony as a dynamic duo, Uta and Dennis Purcell, residents of Burradoo, jointly secured the title of Wingecarribee Shire Council's Citizens of the Year 2024. Their commendable contributions to local education, charities, and the arts earned them this prestigious recognition.

Mackenzie Isedale Winner of the 2024 Young Citizen of the Year at the Award Ceremony in Berrima 26 January 2024

Pictured: Wingecarribee's 2024 Young Citizen of the Year Mackenzie Isedale.

The title of 2024 Young Citizen of the Year goes to Mackenzie Isedale from Welby, acknowledging her remarkable fundraising and charity efforts in the aftermath of her battle with cancer.

The Citizen of the Year Awards recognise people who have made a significant contribution to the Wingecarribee Shire Community, with recipients announced each year on Australia Day.

Wingecarribee's 2024 Australia Day Ambassador

Robina Beard

Pictured: Wingecarribee Shire 2024 Australia Day Ambassador Ms Robina Beard OAM.

Ms Robina Beard OAM acted as the Wingecarribee Australia Day Ambassador on 26 January, 2024. For over 20 years, Robina was a familiar face to households Australia-wide, playing the part of Madge the Manicurist in a television commercial for Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid. Her memoir, ‘My Life: You’re Soaking in it’ takes its title from her now famous line in this commercial which quickly caught on in popular culture.

Robina’s 65 year commitment to Australian arts was recognised in 2011 with an OAM for her ‘Services to the Theatre, particularly in dance’.

Her love of dance from the age of 7 ultimately earned Robina an Australian Dance Award for Lifetime Achievement. Ausdance National President Susan Street credited her with being one of our country’s most recognisable dance and performing artists.

A former NSW Seniors Festival Ambassador, Robina continues to pour herself into tap-dancing and exercise classes for seniors.

Robina congratulated our 2024 Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year participants as part of this celebratory occasion.

Immediately following the presentation of these Awards and the Citizenship Ceremony, was the Australia Day street parade, market stalls, local food and wine, amusements and loads of other family friendly activities were enjoyed.