It’s the 27^th year of what is touted as the biggest Australia Day celebration on the Sapphire Coast, once again put on by the Rotary Club of Merimbula.

The program for the day starts at 7.30am with breakfast in Rotary Park for a gold coin donation. The Sapphire Coast Concert Band will provide a musical backdrop, appropriately including Waltzing Matilda, before the official proceedings get underway from 8.30am.

The celebration will include a flag raising by the local Scout troop, the National Anthem performed by the concert band, addresses by the Merimbula Australia Day Ambassador James Smith, a Woolworths ambassador and the Mayor Kristy McBain, and bush poetry from Karl Auer of Footprint Theatre.

Following those will be a citizenship ceremony for several members of the community taking the big step and then a very special – and top secret – community service award. Definitely one to look out for!

Eden Marine High School captains Kiah Miller and Sam Williams will give an address on behalf of the region’s youth, before Rotary Merimbula president Gai Byrne closes the official proceedings.

Jazz offerings from the Sapphire Coast Big Band will keep all those in attendance entertained once the ceremony is complete, with tea, coffee and lamingtons available.

In the event of poor weather, the function will be held at the Merimbula RSL Club.

Meanwhile, Australia Day celebrations will ring out across the rest of the Valley, with ceremonies also in Bega and Cobargo, and special sporting events in Eden.

In Eden, the inaugural Australia Day Fun Run will get things underway from 7.30am for an 8am start. Afterwards, participants can enjoy the traditional cricket challenge to be played at the Eden sports ground.

In Bega, the council’s citizen of the year, Merimbula’s Ricky Holt, will be officially presented with his honour.

As well as a citizenship ceremony in Bega, there will also be family fun at Littleton Gardens from 10.30am.