Summer vibes and family fun are what the council has promised for the Australia Day long weekend this year. AUSFEST 2017 is a free two-day festival with concerts at Cronulla and Illawong showcasing a huge line-up of local and international entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
Here is a rundown of the events:
DAY 1 (January 26)
Sutherland Entertainment Centre
10:00 am – The Council welcomes new Australian citizens at Sutherland Entertainment Centre. The Citizenship Ceremony is the final step in the process of becoming an Australian citizen, where successful applicants take the Pledge of Commitment.
Cronulla Park – Beachfront Entertainment
1:00 pm – The entertainment at Cronulla Park starts with the showing of “Storm Surfers,” an epic adventure documentary following legend Ross Clarke-Jones and two-time world champion Tom Carroll on their quest to hunt down and ride the biggest and most dangerous waves in Australia
3:00 pm – Community groups Miranda & Engadine Musical Societies give a brilliant performance
4:00 pm – The Original Sin INXS Show, “the most authentic, true representation of the band that was INXS”
5:00 pm – Official Proceedings and Citizenship Ceremony at Cronulla Beach
5:45 pm – Joseph Calderazzo’s all-star cast, a team of notable Sydney musicians, plays favourite Aussie rock classics from the last 20 years
7:15 pm – The Ten Tenors, with 16 years of sell-out performances across the globe, will amaze audiences with their wide range of classic and popular music
9:00 pm – Spectacular fireworks display
* There will be fun activities in the park: an art installation of five giant bunnies by the beach by Amanda Parer, Rotary Club of Cronulla BBQ, Silent Disco, meet 2016 Premiers Cronulla Sharks, and ANSTO hydration station
All proceeds will go to the Australia Day charity, Response For Life.
Blaxland Oval, Illawong
4:00 pm – Official welcome from MC Graham Thom of the Rotary Club of Sutherland
4:15 pm – Vibrant duo The Spring Breaks deliver an eclectic mix of current tunes and their modern spins on older classics
5:30 pm – The Crowdies Show, a five-piece band paying tribute to Crowded House and Split Enz, wows viewers with their killer tunes.
7:00 pm – Original Sin INXS Show
8:00 pm – Enter Sideways gives energetic and powerful covers of Fleetwood Mac, Bruno Mars, Kings of Leon, Daft Punk, Pink, and Coldplay
9:00 pm – Fireworks display brought to you by Sutherland Shire Council and AUSFEST event partner ANSTO
* Activities on the oval: ANSTO Science Shows, Westfield Miranda face painting and balloon bending, Symbio Wildlife Park animal display, pose for a selfie with the Cronulla Sharks Mermaids, Jumping Castles, Circus, Giant Games, Petting Zoo, Wild Trike Rides, Southern Star Taekwondo, SES and RFS Volunteers, food booths with snowcones, potato swirls, dumplings, Rotary BBQ
DAY 2 (January 27)
Cronulla Park
The celebration continues at the newest event Shire Vibes on the Cronulla stage. Local talents will be playing smooth tunes in a chilled atmosphere.
4:00 pm – The Spring Breaks
5:00 pm – local Shire girl and songstress Danielle Lamb and one of Sydney’s most versatile and talented guitarists Matty Jay serenade the audience
4:50 & 6:20 pm – The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will have a live stage show (brought to us by Westfield Miranda)
6:00 pm – Singer/songwriter from the Shire Dylan Wright’s unique and mature lyrics and vocals fascinates viewers
7:00 pm – Sydney four-piece and Shire locals Caravãna Sun begins the tour for their third album with an explosive live show
All funds raised during AUSFEST will help support Response For Life, an organization that raises awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), and in particular sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young.
http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/AUSFEST-2017