LODDON Shire communities are preparing to celebrate Australia Day next Friday with barbecues and breakfasts across the region.
The shire will next week announce its citizen and young citizen of the year award recipients and local community service awards will be presented in the shire’s five wards.
Inglewood’s Howard Rochester was the shire’s top citizen in 2023 with Wedderburn’s Jake Murphy named as the leading young citizen.
The 8th National Tractor Trek hosted in Wedderburn in 2022 was named the shire’s event of the year.
The annual school competition has received entries from across the area with awards to be announced on Australia Day.
Boort – Nolens Park, starting from 9.15am followed by morning tea. Guest speaker Chris O’Flaherty. 
Bridgewater – Sloans Park, barbeque breakfast from 8am. Guest speaker local ambulance officer David Booth.Eddington - Eddington Hall, barbeque breakfast from 8am. 
Inglewood - Inglewood Swimming Pool, starting from 11am. Guest speaker will be Fernihurst’s Jude Hannah .
Mitiamo - Mitiamo Recreation Reserve, barbeque breakfast from 8.30am. Guest speaker Raywood’s Leading Senior Constable Marcus Uren.
Newbridge - Newbridge Hall, starting from 11.15am followed by a light luncheon. Guest speaker veteran Bendigo jouralist and broadcaster Graham Turpie.
Pyramid Hill - Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall, starting from 5pm followed by a barbeque dinner. Guest speaker businessman and progress association president Drew Chislett.
Tarnagulla – Soldiers Memorial Park, starting from 5pm followed by a barbeque dinner.
Wedderburn – Soldiers’ Memorial Park, starting from 11.45am followed by a barbeque lunch. Guest speaker will be Ripon MP Martha Haylett.
Australia Day is a public holiday and offices and many businesses will be closed for the day.
Tourist numbers are expected to swell in popular spots including Bridgewater and Boort for the final weekend before school starts for the year.