Australia Day celebration recognised as the event of 2020

07 August 2020

Greater Dandenong’s 2020 Australia Day Festival was recognised as Victoria’s Event of the Year at the Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) Awards of Excellence program.

More than 10,000 people attended the 59th annual event held at Dandenong Park on Sunday 26 January, 2020.

Council accepted the honour last week in an online ceremony, and is now in the running for the National Major Event of the Year Award scheduled to be announced in October.

The PLA Awards aim to promote and encourage best industry practice and recognise the outstanding work of individuals and teams employed in the parks and leisure industry.

Council won the same award last year for the 2019 Springvale Snow Fest, another popular community event that attracted up to 40,000 people.

Mayor Jim Memeti said Australia Day was an important celebration for the Greater Dandenong community.

“Our residents come from all corners of the world, but they are all proud to call Australia home,” Mayor Memeti said.

“The Australia Day Festival is a celebration of our similarities and our differences and gives everyone an opportunity to connect.”

An important part of the Festival is the Australia Day Awards which recognise the exceptional contribution by people who work selflessly to enrich the lives of others in the Greater Dandenong community.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards in the following categories:

• Citizen of the Year • Young Leader of the Year • Volunteer of the Year • Sportsperson of the Year • Corporate Citizen of the Year • Community Group of the Year • Living Treasure Award

Winners will be selected by a community panel. Nominations close on Monday 31 August. Visit our website for more information.