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Are you at an Australia Day event? Send in your pics to cos@bendigoadvertiser.com.au
UPDATE, BENDIGO,12.10PM: Australian citizen of the year Gordon McKern, who was recognised for his community service, said he was proud to be a part of Australia and Bendigo.
"It is a privilege to be a Bendigonian," he said.
"Bendigo is a diverse and multicultural city.
"I love that."
UPDATE, BENDIGO, 11.30AM:
Bendigo turned on its Aussie charm this morning as 12,000 people visited Lake Weerona to celebrate Australia Day.
Mayor Barry Lyons, who opened the event, said it was important to remember how lucky people are to live here.
"Today we reflect on how great a country we live in," he said.
"We have many freedoms - freedoms we treasure - that are deserving of celebration.
"It truly is a special day."
Young citizen of the year Skye Kinder, who was honoured at the opening ceremony, said Australia Day in Bendigo was a good celebration of community.
"Bendigo is a welcoming and encouraging community," she said.
UPDATE, Eaglehawk, 10.20AM:
Event MC Seamus Haugh said the day was about celebrating community.
"We want to recognise our diversity," he said.
Eaglehawk resident Peter Forsberg said he loved Australia Day because it was a way to appreciate what forebearers had done for the country.
"I love coming here to celebrate," he said.
"Eaglehawk has a real country town feel to it.
"Strangers say hi to each other on the street."
UPDATE, Eaglehawk, 10AM:
EAGLEHAWK celebrated Australia Day this morning with a fair dinkum picnic in Canterbury Park.
About 300 people visited to the park at 9am to sing the National Anthem, enjoy a BBQ breakfast put on by Eaglehawk Rotary Club and hear Australia Day ambassador and award-winning journalist Samantha Lane speak.
Ms Lane said Australia Day was about considering who we are and what we want to be.
"It's about celebrating diversity," she said.
Ms Lane said she chose to be the Australia Day ambassador for Eaglehawk because there was a strong sense of community.
"My partner's family is based here," she said.
"Everytime I can here I get a strong feeling of coming home.
"I requested to come here for that reason."
UPDATE, Axedale, 9.45AM:
CITY of Greater Bendigo councillor Rod Campbell said the day was a special day that reminded us of all things Australian.
He said Axedale was a great place to be and recognised the efforts of the City of Greater Bendigo Citizens of the Year Gordon McKern and Skye Kinder.
Councillor Campbell named Terry Hoctor as Axedales citizen of the year.
Mr Hoctor has lived in Axedale for 37 years and been a part of its CFA for 36 years.
He was pivotal in the development of the Axedale CFA and served on the committees of the Longlea and Axedale tennis clubs as well as the Axedale Hall, school and recreation reserve committees.
The CWA Youth Award was presented to Alex Hermens.
Axedale, 8.55AM:
More than 100 people have arrived at Axedale for Australia Day celebrations.
With the sun shining, sausages sizzling and a traditional band supplying a great soundtrack to the morning, Aussie pride is on show.
President of the Axedale: Our Town, Our Future committee Yvonne Wrigglesworth said the crowd was sure to grow throughout the morning.
"We had a couple of hundred come last year," she said.
"We like to bring all groups together to organise this event."
EARLIER:
HAPPY Australia Day!
Australia Day breakfasts are underway around the region. The Bendigo Advertiser will be visiting a host of events with updates throughout the day.
Reporter Chris Pedler and photographer Brendan McCarthy are now at the Axedale event.