Record crowds on South Perth foreshore celebrate Australia Day 2016
The City of South Perth celebrated Australia Day 2016 on a picture perfect day at Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth, drawing in record number of crowds.
Spanning over 10 hectares along the South Perth foreshore, the City of South Perth’s Celebration Zone once again provided families the opportunity to come together and enjoy Australia Day in a safe, friendly, alcohol and smoke free environment.
With seven activity areas suitable for children from toddlers to teens, the Celebration Zone welcomed a record crowd of 70,000 people this year.
“It was fantastic to see both kids and adults lining up to take part in the 100 free, family friendly activities on offer. These ranged from bubble soccer to camel rides, bungy trampoline, and big splash, as well as utilising the popular rainbow train to make their way around,” said Mayor Sue Doherty.
New to Western Australia, Waterwars and Downpour Derby were a hit with children and adults alike, providing the opportunity to fling biodegradable water bombs and tip buckets of water on one another.
“While this fantastic event entertained over 70,000 people and it would not have been possible without the willingness and dedication of 150 volunteers.”
“It is the significant contribution of these volunteers who help create a community that we are fortunate to be a part of and we sincerely thank them," said Mayor Doherty.
Volunteers from Soroptimist International Club of South Perth (SISP) also assisted on the day, managing donation tins at each four of the entry points into the Celebration Zone, as part of the City’s efforts to raise funds for the Waroona and District Fires Appeal 2016, activated by the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund.
The large crowds continued to grow outside of the Celebration Zone as the City of Perth’s Skyworks neared, treating crowds along the Swan River to a 360-degree laser light show for the first time.
Following the spectacular firework display, more than 6000 people made use of the City’s free shuttle bus service, operating from George Burnett Leisure Centre (GBLC) and the City’s Civic Centre, transporting guests to and from Sir James Mitchell Park across 14 double busses departing every 10 minutes. The shuttle bus service ran from 2pm, continuing until all patrons using the service were returned to either destination. The service provided free parking outside of the City’s road closure zone, allowing greater access for emergency service vehicles while ensuring entries to residences within the zone were not obstructed.
At the City’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony earlier in the day, proceedings began with the delivery of the Australian flag to Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO, Governor of Western Australia through an incredible water ski show performed by Water Ski WA.
Celebrating 67 years of Australian citizenship, 65 new citizens were welcomed by Mayor Sue Doherty and Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons MP, joining the South Perth community from over 27 different countries.
The Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards and City of South Perth Citizen of the Year Awards are run concurrently each year. These prestigious awards foster, recognise and celebrate significant contributions to community life and active citizenship. The winners for the three categories were presented their awards by the Member for South Perth John McGrath MLA and Mayor Sue Doherty.
City of South Perth Citizen of the Year and Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award - Cecilia Brooke
City of South Perth Young Citizen of the Year and Premier’s Australia Day Active Young Citizen Award - Alisha McMullen
City of South Perth Premier’s Australia Day Active Community Group or Event Award - Soroptimist International Club of South Perth
Mayor Sue Doherty said, “The Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards and City of South Perth Citizen of the Year Awards once again provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate people within our local community who make significant contributions to build and create an active community. The City congratulations all the nominees and the Award winners.”
Australia Day 2016
Photos from the City of South Perth’s Australia Day 2016 celebrations are available on the City’s Facebook and Flickr pages. A time lapse of the City of Perth Skyworks from South Perth foreshore can also be viewed on the City's YouTube channel.
Did you attend the Celebration Zone? Tell us what you think!
The City invites you to spend a few minutes and tell us what you think! Complete the survey before 5pm, Friday 12 February 2016 and go in the draw to WIN a $100 Apple Store voucher. Start the survey here.
Spanning over 10 hectares along the South Perth foreshore, the City of South Perth’s Celebration Zone once again provided families the opportunity to come together and enjoy Australia Day in a safe, friendly, alcohol and smoke free environment.
With seven activity areas suitable for children from toddlers to teens, the Celebration Zone welcomed a record crowd of 70,000 people this year.
“It was fantastic to see both kids and adults lining up to take part in the 100 free, family friendly activities on offer. These ranged from bubble soccer to camel rides, bungy trampoline, and big splash, as well as utilising the popular rainbow train to make their way around,” said Mayor Sue Doherty.
New to Western Australia, Waterwars and Downpour Derby were a hit with children and adults alike, providing the opportunity to fling biodegradable water bombs and tip buckets of water on one another.
“While this fantastic event entertained over 70,000 people and it would not have been possible without the willingness and dedication of 150 volunteers.”
“It is the significant contribution of these volunteers who help create a community that we are fortunate to be a part of and we sincerely thank them," said Mayor Doherty.
Volunteers from Soroptimist International Club of South Perth (SISP) also assisted on the day, managing donation tins at each four of the entry points into the Celebration Zone, as part of the City’s efforts to raise funds for the Waroona and District Fires Appeal 2016, activated by the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund.
The large crowds continued to grow outside of the Celebration Zone as the City of Perth’s Skyworks neared, treating crowds along the Swan River to a 360-degree laser light show for the first time.
Following the spectacular firework display, more than 6000 people made use of the City’s free shuttle bus service, operating from George Burnett Leisure Centre (GBLC) and the City’s Civic Centre, transporting guests to and from Sir James Mitchell Park across 14 double busses departing every 10 minutes. The shuttle bus service ran from 2pm, continuing until all patrons using the service were returned to either destination. The service provided free parking outside of the City’s road closure zone, allowing greater access for emergency service vehicles while ensuring entries to residences within the zone were not obstructed.
At the City’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony earlier in the day, proceedings began with the delivery of the Australian flag to Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO, Governor of Western Australia through an incredible water ski show performed by Water Ski WA.
Celebrating 67 years of Australian citizenship, 65 new citizens were welcomed by Mayor Sue Doherty and Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons MP, joining the South Perth community from over 27 different countries.
The Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards and City of South Perth Citizen of the Year Awards are run concurrently each year. These prestigious awards foster, recognise and celebrate significant contributions to community life and active citizenship. The winners for the three categories were presented their awards by the Member for South Perth John McGrath MLA and Mayor Sue Doherty.
City of South Perth Citizen of the Year and Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award - Cecilia Brooke
City of South Perth Young Citizen of the Year and Premier’s Australia Day Active Young Citizen Award - Alisha McMullen
City of South Perth Premier’s Australia Day Active Community Group or Event Award - Soroptimist International Club of South Perth
Mayor Sue Doherty said, “The Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards and City of South Perth Citizen of the Year Awards once again provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate people within our local community who make significant contributions to build and create an active community. The City congratulations all the nominees and the Award winners.”
Australia Day 2016
Photos from the City of South Perth’s Australia Day 2016 celebrations are available on the City’s Facebook and Flickr pages. A time lapse of the City of Perth Skyworks from South Perth foreshore can also be viewed on the City's YouTube channel.
Did you attend the Celebration Zone? Tell us what you think!
The City invites you to spend a few minutes and tell us what you think! Complete the survey before 5pm, Friday 12 February 2016 and go in the draw to WIN a $100 Apple Store voucher. Start the survey here.
Media contact
For media enquiries, please contact the City’s Communications Officer.
- Phone 9474 0777
- Email media@southperth.wa.gov.au
