AUSSIES young and old were encouraged to make their mark at Australia Day celebrations across the Hunter yesterday.
The make your mark theme served not only to inspire the young to achieve great things, but also for everyday Aussies to contribute to their communities.
In Newcastle, Australia Day ambassador Donny Sutherland urged locals to heed the theme and make Australia Day the ‘‘first step to a ... successful future for our country’’.
Video by Amy Spear
At the National Maritime Festival on Newcastle harbour people enjoyed harbour tours and jet ski races while tug boats showed off their most graceful moves during the tug boat ballet.
There was also the firing of guns from Fort Scratchley and a flyover from F/A–18 Hornets.
At Lake Macquarie, Australia Day started with tai chi and ended with Aussie rock.
GANGgajang and Mental as Anything shared the stage at Speers Point Park last night to cap off the Lake Macquarie Festival while earlier in the day mayor Greg Piper received an early bath at the dunk-a-mayor competition.
It quickly expanded to dunk-a-politician when Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell found himself on the bottom of the tank.
All proceeds went to John Hunter Children’s Hospital charity Kaleidoscope.
In Port Stephens, Nelson Bay’s foreshore parade drew its biggest crowd in years with early estimates at 5000 to 6000.
Numbers were down slightly at Raymond Terrace with more than 1500 draping themselves in blue and red.
Maitland Park drew about 3500 to events including thong-flinging and live music.
Mayor Peter Blackmore was pleased with the strong turnout.
‘‘People are proud of their heritage here,’’ he said.
At Maitland Pool, Lorn couple Andrew and Ashleigh Newman shared their first Australia Day with 10-month-old son Malachi with temporary tattoos and gear.
Strong crowds marked the day at East Cessnock Bowling Club where the city’s first-born of 2012, Connie May O’Neil, was officially welcomed.
In the Upper Hunter, General Peter Cosgrove was Singleton’s Australia Day guest.
Once the official ceremonies were over Singleton’s Civic forecourt was busy with markets.
The federal member for Lyne Independent Rob Oakeshott led celebrations in Gloucester, where heavy rain forced the official ceremony inside.
Muswellbrook’s main celebrations were held in Denman.
Mayor Martin Rush said about 400 attended events and many more would have taken part in activities in Muswellbrook.
Upper Hunter mayor Lee Watts, other councillors and general manager Daryl Dutton attended ceremonies in Merriwa, Murrurundi, Scone and Aberdeen.
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