Australia Day celebrations were in full swing around central Victoria on Monday with live bands competing with the sound of sizzling sausages across the region.
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At the Rene Fox Gardens in Dunolly former VFL star and radio personality Peter "Crackers" Keenan was the guest speaker while local band The D Sharps performed the national anthem.
Dunolly and District Inc. secretary Marion Da Costa said the turnout had been fantastic.
"The local football club put on handballing for the kids and it went really well," she said.
Celebrations in Axedale attracted a crowd of about 150 people for a community breakfast where a number of awards were announced including the CWA's youth award which went to Isabelle Sommerville.
Axedale primary school principal Lex Johnstone was named citizen of the year.
Axedale, Our Town - Our Future president Yvonne Wrigglesworth said Mr Johnstone had done some terrific work over the past few years.
"He's not only reinvigorated the school but through his involvement with many community groups he's a real asset to Axedale," she said.
In Maldon the Lions Club provided a breakfast while guest speaker Graham Pitts, a writer, researcher and playwright, spoke of the importance of community and his own experiences in Axedale.
Chris Stobie performed the national anthem accompanied by the Maldon Brass Band.
The citizen of the year was Cathy McCallum and the young citizen of the year was Nikita Connell.
