Sausages will sizzle and thongs will be thrown as Australia Day is celebrated throughout the region tomorrow.

On Cairns Esplanade, Mayor Val Schier will welcome 78 new Australian citizens from 25 countries of origin.

“It is wonderful to see so many people choosing to become Australian citizens on our national day,” Cr Schier said. “We offer every one of them a warm, Aussie welcome.”

The Cairns region’s outstanding citizens will be acknowledged at the Thursday morning event, with the presentation of the Australia Day Awards.

“We have so many people in our community who offer so much,” Cr Schier said. “The Australia Day Awards will recognise the achievements and service of some of these people, who have been nominated by their peers.”

Awards will be presented in seven categories, including Volunteering, Cultural, Sporting and, of course, Citizen of the Year.

In Port Douglas, the Blessing of the Fleet will take place, followed by morning tea, at the Port Douglas Combined Club from 8am to 10am.

Mossman Indoor Sports Centre will host an Aussie Arvo from 2pm to 5pm, with participants invited to dress up and join in a range of free activities including a bungy run, line dancing and a coo-ee competition. Winners of the Christmas Lights Competition will be presented.

Other venues in the region celebrating Australia Day include the Court House Hotel, the Wildlife Habitat, and there'll be an entertaining cricket match between representatives of local AFL, league, union, and soccer codes at Cassowary Park from noon. 

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