Splash out for Australia Day

The community is invited to beat the Australia Day heat at Greenacre Splash Park and Birrong, Max Parker and Roselands Leisure and Aquatic Centres for a range of family-friendly entertainment from 10am-4pm.
The Australia Day Pool Parties will feature children’s activities, indigenous performers, a live DJ, inflatable rides and sausage sizzle, all for the low cost of $2 entry (free entry at Greenacre Splash Park).
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek encouraged everyone to come along and celebrate what it means to be Australian.
“Our City is home to an incredible diversity of different cultures, and we should all celebrate how lucky we are to call Australia home,” he said.
“Our pools will be the place to be this Australia Day, with plenty to keep the kids occupied all day.”
On the eve of Australia Day, Mayor El-Hayek and Australia Day Ambassador Bob Turner will welcome 25 new citizens and announce the Canterbury Bankstown Australia Day Award recipients.
Mr Turner is an accomplished Australian sports and business executive, renowned for his contributions to basketball coaching, having led four NBL clubs to success, including the Sydney Kings.
Celebrating his 28th year as an Australia Day Ambassador, Mr Turner said he loved celebrating with those who chose to be Australian.
“I became an Australian Citizen in 1995 and I’ve been an ambassador ever since. I love the look of sheer joy on the new citizen’s face as they enter a new phase of their life, which I did all those years ago,” he said.
Mayor El-Hayek said the decision to host the Citizenship Ceremony on January 25 was to allow the new residents to enjoy their first Australia Day as citizens and get involved in all the fun activities across the City.
“Rather than having our newest citizens standing around for hours and waiting for formalities, we want them to experience their first Australia Day in all its glory,” he said.