General News
22 January, 2026
CWA to host Australia Day event
The Hopetoun CWA will host its annual Australia Day event at the Hopetoun Memorial Hall gardens on Monday, January 26, featuring a free community breakfast and two local awards.
The morning runs 8-10am at 13 Austin Street, Hopetoun, with breakfast served first, followed by the official ceremony at about 9am.
CWA Hopetoun president Sue Afford said the group had run the event for many years and continued to see it as an important local tradition.
“The CWA has been doing it for quite some years,” Ms Afford said.
“They used to have it down the lake, but it’s been at the garden at the Memorial Hall for many, many years.”
The official ceremony will include a speech by guest speaker Austin Grace, the raising of the flag, and community recognition.
Hopetoun CWA will again present two community awards this year, then cut a cake and invite attendees to stay and enjoy time together.
“We’ve just called them community awards, as we don’t have any specific title,” Ms Afford said.
Ms Afford encouraged community members to attend the ceremony and also confirmed councillor representation, with Yarriambiack Shire Council mayor Andrew McLean expected to participate.
Regarding the Australia Day message, Ms Afford said, “It’s about community and the Australian theme, which is Reflect, Respect and Celebrate.”
“It’s all about that connection.”
The event will be held outdoors in the gardens next to the hall, but will move indoors if the weather turns windy or wet.