MEDIA RELEASE - Music, film, culture and family fun the focus of Sutherland Shire Council’s 2024 Australia Day events program
Big-name Australian performers, captivating family entertainment and meaningful cultural experiences are all set to feature once again as part of a jam-packed three-day program of events planned across the Sutherland Shire over next year’s Australia Day weekend.
With the return of a large-scale concert performance and the much-loved fireworks display as part of this year’s Australia Day program of events, crowds are once again expected to throng to the drawcard Australia Day concert performance at Cronulla Beach.
Crowds are set to be wowed by the talents of Australian musical superstars such as former Noiseworks and INXS frontman Jon Stevens, Australian Idol alumni Paulini and X-Factor winner and Eurovision Song Contest representative Isaiah Firebrace among those set to perform at traditional Australia Day Concert.
But there is also plenty more on offer across the three-day program of events, with Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce, saying he was eagerly looking forward to welcoming local residents and visitors to the region to the many events being staged throughout the Sutherland Shire.
“We know our Australia Day program of events is a huge highlight of the year for local residents, providing the opportunity for family and friends to come together across a series of amazing events which bring out the best in our community,” Mayor Pesce said.
“We’re absolutely delighted to once again be able to welcome our community – and visitors from further afield – to join in the festivities across three days of family friendly entertainment and events.
“Our Cronulla Beach concert is always a highlight of our Australia Day program, and this year will certainly be no different with some incredible performing talent set to take to the stage for audiences to enjoy.
“It’s great to welcome performers like Jon Stevens back to the Sutherland Shire after he absolutely blew us away at the official opening of the Pavilion Performing Arts Centre, Sutherland, earlier this year – I know he and the rest of the performers we have lined up are really going to set the stage alight!”
Mayor Pesce said next year’s program of events would also see the return of the Sunset Cultural Ceremony at Woronora’s Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, with attendees invited to join a solemn and respectful gathering lead by local Indigenous Elders which would focus on the meaning of Australia Day for First Nations peoples.
“The Sunset Cultural Ceremony is increasingly drawing stronger crowds as local residents embrace the opportunity to learn more about our local Indigenous culture as part of the way they reflect on the significance of Australia Day,” Mayor Pesce said.
“There is an incredibly strong appreciation in our community about the importance of the history and connection to country carried by our First Nations community, and I’m pleased to see local people have sought to get involved in this opportunity to explore different perspectives on the day in a respectful manner.”
Among the other events set to be held in communities across the Sutherland Shire are screenings of family friendly films at Cronulla, Engadine and Menai as part of the ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ series of outdoor film events, as well as the ever-popular pool parties being staged at Council’s Caringbah, Engadine and Sutherland Leisure Centres.
And while the Australia Day Concert at Cronulla Beach has for many years been the primary drawcard of local Australia Day festivities, there is set to be even more incredible musical performances on offer next year. The inaugural ‘Cronulla Vibes’ concert, to be held on Saturday 27 January, will ensure local music fans can enjoy a double dose of musical talent at Cronulla Beach.
“For over 20 years, Council has been proud to host major community events for our community to come together over the Australia Day weekend, and we see these events draw more support and involvement year upon year,” Mayor Pesce said.
“We’re proud of the way that our community unites to embrace the theme ‘reflect, respect and celebrate’, ensuring that there is a way for all members of our community to engage with a day of national significance, no matter how they choose to do it.”
The traditional fireworks display at Cronulla’s Australia Day celebrations is scheduled to once again be a feature of the 2024 celebrations, subject to approval from emergency service authorities.
SUNSET CULTURAL CEREMONY, BURNUM BURNUM SANCTUARY, WORONORA, THURSDAY 25 JANUARY
Aboriginal elders shares stories and culture, featuring traditional dance, music, yarning circle and art display by local community leaders along with First Nations stallholders.
CINEMA UNDER THE STARS, CRONULLA PARK, CRONULLA, THURSDAY 25 JANUARY
6.30pm Join us for an incredible outdoor cinema experience, with the screening of the family friendly film ‘Blueback’ (PG).
LEISURE CENTRE POOL PARTIES, CARINGBAH, ENGADINE AND SUTHERLAND LEISURE CENTRE, FRIDAY 26 JANUARY
Make a splash with free entry to Caringbah, Engadine and Sutherland Leisure Centres between 10am and 2pm, with a DJ set to spin some festive tunes as part of a jam-packed day of family entertainment.
CRONULLA BEACH AUSTRALIA DAY PROGRAM, FRIDAY 26 JANUARY
4pm Nicola De Sensi
4.45pm Royal Australian Navy Rock Band
5.45pm Isaiah Firebrace
6.45pm Paulini
8pm Jon Stevens
9pm Fireworks (weather permitting)
CINEMA UNDER THE STARS, ANZAC OVAL, ENGADINE, FRIDAY 26 JANUARY
6.30pm Join us for an incredible outdoor cinema experience, with the screening of the family friendly film ‘The Super Mario Bros Movie’ (PG).
CRONULLA VIBES CONCERT, CRONULLA BEACH, SATURDAY 27 JANUARY
4pm Michael Astill & Co
4.30pm Todd Kemmler
5pm Rochelle Natoli
6.15pm Jackson Carroll
7pm Phat Brass
8pm Craig Woodward
CINEMA UNDER THE STARS, PARC MENAI, MENAI, SATURDAY 27 JANUARY
6.30pm Join us for an incredible outdoor cinema experience, with the screening of the family friendly film ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ (PG).
See the full program of events and details on how to get involved.