The doors will open at 9am. The event kicking off at 9:30am with a Welcome to Country followed by an address by our Australia Day Ambassador, NRL player, Aiden Tolman.

Aiden, originally from Hat Head, played junior football locally before embarking on his professional league career. This year will be his tenth season playing with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

Following Aiden's speech, Mayor Liz Campbell will present 22 Macleay Valley residents with their Australian Citizenship before the announcement of the prestigious Australia Day Awards.

The recipients will be announced across the following four categories, Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Community Group of the Year.

The awards are an important way to acknowledge the contributions that individuals, groups and organisations make to our community.

After the ceremony, Aiden will be available to meet and greet fans until midday.

Between 11:30am and 1:30pm, the community is invited to attend a free Family Fun Day on the grounds of the Slim Dusty Centre. Admission to the museum will be discounted with tickets available for $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Entertainment will include Australiana favourites such as thong throwing and a whip cracking competition as well as live music, face painting, jumping castle, giant inflatable obstacle course and an egg and spoon race.

There will be a barbecue, refreshments and an ice cream truck. The centre's Dinner Camp Café will also be open on the day.

For more information go to: www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/ausday

The schedule for Sunday:

9.30am - 11.30am - Awards and Citizenship Ceremony

11.30am - 12.00am - Meet and Greet and Autograph Signing with Aiden Tolman

11.45am - Registration for Whip Cracking Competition

11.45am - 12.45pm - Thong Throwing Competition (grassed area outside centre)

12.45pm - 1.20pm - Whip Cracking Competition (grassed area outside centre. BYO Whip)