There is a lot happening across Kyogle LGA on January 26.
For the first time, three villages will be connected on Australia Day by a bike ride.
Twelve members of the Northern Rivers Bushwalking Club will drive to Mallanganee and then ride their bicycles to Tabulam and onto Bonalbo.
Locals can join the cyclists for a free breakfast at Mallanganee or for morning tea at Tabulam.
Club coordinator Chris McDowell said no one in the club had ridden west of the range before.
“We’re a motley crew,” Chris said.
The club has 400 members who ride, walk, hike and abseil at different locations. Most of them are aged over 60 years.
After lunch at Bonalbo the riders will head back to Mallanganee along Clarence Way and Culmaran Creek Road at 2pm.
All Kyogle Swimming Pools have free entry on Australia Day. See the bottom of this story for opening times.
Kyogle
Kyogle Australia Day kicks off with billy tea and damper at 8am before the official ceremony at the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall.
Kyogle Lions Club will host the Australia Day awards.
There will be a smoking ceremony and a Welcome to Country as well as food and live entertainment.
The Australia Day ambassador this year is Mel Thomas – a domestic violence prevention expert. She is a mother of two girls, an accomplished martial artist and a passionate speaker.
After the award ceremony, everyone heads to the pool or Amphitheatre Park for more family activities including gumboot throwing.
Australia Day at the bowlo
Kyogle Bowls Club will be hosting lawn bowls with $500 worth of prizes. It kicks off at midday but arrive beforehand to sign up. Cost is $20 per player and includes a barbecue. Contact Butch Rogers on 0413 147 164.
Mallanganee
Enjoy a free breakfast at Everson Park at 8am with the bike riders before they head off to Tabulam. The breakfast is hosted by the Bonalbo & Upper Clarence Lions Club members.
Tabulam
Meet the bike riders travelling from Mallanganee for a free morning tea in Tabulam at 10am.
Bonalbo
Bonalbo does Australia Day a little differently. They do have an awards ceremony but they also crown a king and queen for the toad muster and have a golf comp and gumboot throwing comp.
10am Barefoot bowls and Ambrose golf at the Bonalbo Bowlo followed by a free sausage sizzle.
The official ceremony starts at 1pm. Guest speaker is Stuart Larsson.
The King and Queen of the toad muster will be announced,
From 2pm there is the gumboot toss, tug of war and the gold chipping and putting competition.
There will be live music from Luke Vassella.
There is a free Hart bus available from Tabulam to Australia Day celebrations at Bonalbo Bowling Club. Contact Debbie on 6662 6995.
Woodenbong
8.30am: The RSL kick off activities with billy tea with eucalyptus leaves in it and damper.
Then everyone assembles in front of Woodenbong Public Hall for the flag raising before the start of the official proceedings.
There will be musical performances and presentations by the Woodenbong school captains.
The Australia Day ambassador Joe Snell, an architect and TV personality will be at Woodenbong.
After the presentation of the Australia Day awards and lunch, Woodenbong hosts its famous City verses Country cricket match.
Then it’s time for fun with the inflatables at Woodenbong Pool. The pool party is free and there will be a DJ.
Free entry to Kyogle pools
Kyogle 10am–6pm
Bonalbo 11.30am–6pm
Woodenbong includes inflatable playground 2pm–6pm
(In Tenterfield Shire)
Urbenville
Because no nominations were received for Australia Day, there will be no awards given nor will there be a function hosted by Urbenville Progress Association. Still plenty to celebrate at the Crown Hotel Urbenville where there is a fantastic day and long weekend lined up.
Drake
There is a free youth event hosted by Drake Youth Group to be held at the Drake Village Oval on January 26 at 11am–4pm.
The Sports Gala Day will have a barbecue lunch, water slide, slam dunk, obstacle course, tug of war and games.
This is a smoke, vape, drug and alcohol free event.
Ewingar
Australia Day Hall Night starts at 6pm, food served form 7pm. Bring a dessert to help out. Cash only on the night. No BYO. At Ewingar Hall.
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