Monday 26 January sees councils across the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island join the rest of the nation in celebrating its citizens, both longstanding and new.

Free events and ceremonies will be held around the region for the community to gather together and celebrate Australia.

Alexandrina

Alexandrina Council will hold two official ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of outstanding residents and groups at its 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards on Australia Day.

They will be  in Strathalbyn at 9am and in Goolwa at 11am.

In Strathalbyn, the community is encouraged to gather for an outdoor Australia Day picnic at the Soldiers Memorial Gardens. Attendees are welcome to take chairs and picnic rugs, enjoy a morning performance by the Strathalbyn and District Concert Band from 7.30am, and celebrate this year’s award recipients during the official ceremony at 9am.

In Goolwa, the Australia Day Award Ceremony and Citizenship Ceremony will start at 11am at Centenary Hall, in Cadell Street. Guests will be welcomed by the Goolwa Band on arrival.

Kangaroo Island

The KI festivities will be held at Hope Cottage Museum, in Kingscote, from 10am.

Citizen of the Year is Jaffrey Drinkwater and Event of the Year is the Kangaroo Island Cancer Support Group for its Biggest Morning Tea.

Onkaparinga

Free breakfasts will be held from 8am until 11am at Willunga Centenary Park and Aberfoyle Park – Happy Valley Sports Park. There will be entertainment along with activities for the children.

Residents should take a picnic rug or chair. The breakfasts are funded by the City of Onkaparinga and delivered by local community groups, including Willunga and District Lions Club, and Happy Valley Sports Park.

This year a breakfast will not be held in Ramsay Place, Noarlunga as the previous community group host could not deliver it. The council was unable to secure a new host, but hopes to see a return of a third breakfast location in 2027.

In the evening there will be a free family fair at The South Adelaide Football Club, with music, food, kids activities, starting at 5.30pm and finishing with fireworks at 9.30pm.

Victor Harbor

A free barbecue breakfast will be held at Soldiers Memorial Garden, on Flinders Parade, followed by a formal ceremony starting at 9am. 

It will include a Welcome to Country by Cedric Varcoe, entertainment from the Victor Harbor City Band and Rebecca Gagliardi, a Citizenship Ceremony, and presentation of the Citizen of the Year Awards. 

Yankalilla 

The District Council of Yankalilla invites the community to Yankalilla Memorial Park to recognise community spirit and local service.

The celebrations will begin with a barbecue breakfast cooked by the Lions from 8am, with a gold coin donation appreciated. Coffee van Barking Bean will also be on site, along with family-friendly lawn games for all ages.

Official proceedings start at 9am, followed by presentation of the Citizen of the Year Awards; a Citizenship Ceremony to welcome eight new citizens to the district; and presentation of community grants. 

Guest speaker will be Australia Day Ambassador Ms Monique Bareham, the 2022 Australian of the Year.