AUSTRALIA DAY is the day to celebrate all things true-blue, where thongs become the signature footwear and zinc replaces make up … and organisers of January’s festivities are keen to make it one to remember.
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The Nambucca Heads Lions Club, Nambucca Heads and Valla Chamber of Commerce and a group of dedicated locals have put their heads together to organise a swag of events including the Captain Cook Challenge Fun Run, market stalls, music, games, activities and more – in a bid to reinvent and restore Australia Day in the Nambucca Valley to its former glory.
“We’d like to see Australia Day reinvented,” Lions Club secretary Peter Mitchell told the Guardian. “The run will be a fun component for anyone wanting to participate and the main celebrations at Gordon Park will hopefully be a way to bring the community together.
“There will be a skating demo by the kids from the Youth Centre, crab races, boot throwing, a raft race and a surfboard race … the list is quite long.
“We’re also aiming for the longest sausage which will be cooked across six barbecue plates.”
The Captain Cook Challenge ($20) will see runners take part in a 4.5km run with a 34m incline from Gordon Park, along the V-Wall, over to Shelly Beach, up the road to Captain Cook Lookout and back.
“From 8am there will be races in multiple age categories with numbers capped at 150,” race coordinator Jim McCullagh said.
“Trophies will be awarded to the placegetters and there will also be a shorter version of the race – a novelty run – for those who are less competitive but want to participate.
“It will be a staggered start with timers and there is a controlled traffic plan in place for safety.”
Entry forms for the Captain Cook Challenge will soon be available from Nambucca Heads RSL Club, the Guardian News office and Sportfirst.
“Funds raised will go towards the day’s costs with remaining money to go towards the Nambucca Valley Dialysis Unit,” Jim said.
“We hope everyone will get behind us – it should be a great day.”