![Kids Billy and Charlie with Ian Bennett of the Golden City Paddle Steamer Museum Society Kids Billy and Charlie with Ian Bennett of the Golden City Paddle Steamer Museum Society](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/alexander.ford/d614fe94-11f7-4323-983f-1a384c31b9b9.jpg/r0_301_5886_3623_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Ballarat will mark Australia Day with dozens of celebrations and events around Lake Wendouree on Friday, January 26.
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The events have been organised by the National Australia Day council and includes both remembrance ceremonies and celebration events on the day.
More than 30 groups will also be involved in the occasion including the City of Ballarat.
National Australia Day Council Ballarat program coordinator Ian Bennett said he expected around 20,000 people to attend across all of the events.
Mr Bennett, who is also the secretary of the Lake Wendouree Museum and the Golden City Paddle Steamer and Museum Society said the event has also been bolstered by a grant from the Australia Day Council - as has been the case for the past few years.
The City of Ballarat's Koorie Engagement Action Group will hold its fifth annual Survival Day dawn ceremony, followed by activities for the whole family at View Point, while there will be dancing and tours around the lake running all day.
Check out the full list of events happening around Lake Wendouree on Australia Day, January 26, 2024:
5.30am - 3.30pm
- Survival Day Dawn Service ceremony (organised by KEAG) - View Point, Lake Wendouree
9.30am
- KEAG cultural activities - Youth Dance Group, traditional games, Yidaki players, Wadawurrung story time - View Point, Lake Wendouree
10am - 4pm
- Multicultural Australia activities dance, games and food - Pipers Landing
- Vintage car display and rides - Windmill Drive
- Long Buses driving around Lake Wendouree every 20 minutes, stopping at designated stops
- Lake Wendouree Museum Cultural Exhibition and Ballarat Society of Artists - Museum next to the Boatshed Restaurant
- Paddle Boat tours of Lake Wendouree every 20 minutes - Departs from Piper's landing, west side of Lake Wendouree
- Kids art and craft activities - featuring Australian flora and fauna at the Lake Wendouree Museum until 2pm
11.30am - 3.30pm
- City of Ballarat Picnic in the Park - Victoria Park adjacent to the Inclusive Play Space. The free event features food trucks, more than 40 market stalls, entertainment, lawn games and activities. For more information visit https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/picnicinthepark
12pm - 4pm
- Australian Artists: Dot Art, "The Message" - Aboriginal Cultural presentation on the big screen, The Solar System exploring Indigenous Australian Traditions - Lake Wendouree Museum until 1pm
- Free sausage sizzle at Lake Wendouree Museum Forecourt until 2pm
- Scout activities at Piper's Gardens
- Come and try fishing at Piper's Landing
1.30pm
- Botanical reflection and healing ceremony hosted by Wadawurrung members - View Point, Lake Wendouree
2pm - 4pm
- Tour of the Prime Minister's Avenue - Botanic Gardens until 3pm
- Music by the Lake - City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band at Piper's Landing Gardens
2.30pm - 3.30pm
- Webster Street historical tour - meet at Pleasant Street Primary School corner
NOTE: An earlier version of this article advised of activities at the Yacht Club. Please be advised the Yacht Club will not be hosting any activities on January 26.