NATIONAL Australia Day Council CEO Chris Kirby says that next year the NADC will hold the Australian of the Year Awards national announcement in the Great Hall of Parliament House on the evening of 25 January. As a result of the move to The Great Hall, the concert element of the Awards event will not take place.

“The format and venue for the Awards national announcement has varied over time – a formal gathering of society at Melbourne’s Exhibition Buildings, a luncheon at Melbourne’s Town Hall, a garden tea at Admiralty House in Sydney; a formal luncheon in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra; an evening presentation in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, a lunchtime event in Brisbane’s Town Hall; televised from the Princess Theatre in Melbourne and a large audience event in Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion,” Chris said.

“In 2004, the Awards announcement event moved to Canberra and since that time has been staged on the lawns outside Parliament House. The NADC introduced a concert as part of its Awards event in the same year.

“The change of format and venue is part of the ongoing evolution of the Awards.

“The Awards announcement is a significant national event with 1.2 million Australians tuning in to the Awards in 2016. We want all Australians to be part of the celebration, acknowledging the achievements of the Australians of the Year.

“At this year’s announcement a serious storm nearly brought the event to a standstill and potentially put the public at risk. Weather and safety therefore play a major part in our planning for the Awards event.

“We’re looking at how the public could continue to be part of celebrations and will advise details as our planning is finalised.

“We encourage all Canberrans to take part in Australia Day activities in Canberra including the National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony.”

[Photo by Silas]