The event has moved from Bruxner Park (as previously advertised) to the Tenterfield Memorial Hall, kicking off at 8.15am with Breakfast on the Deck hosted by the Tenterfield Lions Club and the Granite Belt Community Band.

The main event itself commences in the Hall at 9am with a citizenship ceremony following the civic welcome.

READ MORE:

The Australia Day Ambassador for 2020 is Dr Jamal Rifi AM, a respected and hardworking General Practitioner as well as a prominent figure in the (Australian) Lebanese Muslim community of Sydney for nearly 20 years.

More recently Dr Rifi has gained widespread praise nationally as one of the most passionate voices from the Australian Muslim community.

During the war on terror and a time of global uncertainty, Dr Rifi has spoken out about radicalisation in all shapes and forms, and sought to bring harmony amongst Muslin and non-Muslim communities.

Dr Rifi's efforts to build harmony have been recognised with a Human Rights Medal in 2007, and in 2015 he was recognised as The Australian's Australian of the Year and most recently named the Australian Father of the Year.

Council received 19 nominations for the Australia Day Awards, covering the categories of Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Young Sportsperson of the Year, Emergency Services Volunteer of the Year and Community Event of the Year.

"The calibre of the nominations made selection of the winners a very difficult task indeed," Mayor Peter Petty, said.

"This past year, with the challenges that have plagued our shire and indeed much of Australia, many heros and heroines have been brought to the fore and we recognise each and every one of them for their outstanding contributions."

Tenterfield's own Dancing DJ will provide the opportunity for everyone to get up and dance away the blues to some good old Australian rock & roll before the Tenterfield Highlander Pipe Band and the swirl of bagpipes, brings the event to a stirring conclusion.