AUSTRALIA Day celebrations for the Mansfield Shire will be a little different this year – with two days of festivities for residents and visitors alike.

The annual Citizenship and Citizen of the Year awards will be presented on Australia Day, Thursday, January 26, as has happened in the past.

During these celebrations Mansfield will be welcoming 15 citizens during the citizenship ceremony as 'True Blue Aussies'.

The morning's ceremonies will also include the raising of the Australian and Indigenous flags.

The winners of the Australia Day Citizen Awards will be announced and presented, but at present are being kept secret as some categories only received one nomination, so it is hush, hush until the day.

The celebrations at the Botanic Park start from 8.30am with a free barbecue breakfast courtesy of the Mansfield Rotary Club members and a coffee from Jan Forrest, and will run through until approximately 10.30am.

Unfortunately, there will be no Australia Day Ambassador's address this year.

The ceremonies will involve scouts, guides and music will be provided by the MAD Orchestra.

Ceremonies are conducted usually by the Mayor once citizenship has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs and can also be performed on Australia Day as part of our Australia Day Celebrations.

Council also presents Citizen Awards in five categories:

– Citizen, Senior Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year – awarded in recognition of a noteworthy, honorary contribution in community service or for personal achievement, including sport, over a number of years.

– Community Event of the Year – awarded to an individual, organisation or group in recognition of the valuable contribution that a special event has made in giving something to the local community.

– Community Group or Organisation Award – designed to acknowledge the most outstanding Community Group or Organisation that has demonstrated a high level of excellence and innovation and provided a significant impact on the town's community.

Australia Day celebrations continue on to a second day on Saturday, January 28, and again will take place again at the Botanic Park with a concert provided by local musicians Martin Jones, Naturally Kerley and Fat Max.

For the kids there will be jumping castles, a water slide and face painting – and for all attending a choice of food carts and drinks.

These celebrations will kick off at 9am and run through until 2pm.

The Botanic Park celebrations on the Saturday will also run alongside the Delatite Car Club's Show 'N' Shine event at which more than 100 cars, classic and vintage, will line up for all to see.