The mercury rose into the 40s Saturday for a sunny and sweltering Australia Day in Newcastle.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Williamtown Airport recorded temperature highs of almost 42 degrees in the middle of the day.
Many headed for the beaches where conditions were cooler in the afternoon as the day baked on.
In the city, 149 of Newcastle’s international community were officially sworn in as Australian citizens during a ceremony at City Hall.
During the ceremony, journalists and advocate Jill Emberson was named Newcastle’s Citizen of the Year for 2019.
University of Newcastle graduate Dr Bhavi Ravindran was named 2019 Newcastle Young Citizen of the Year. The 24-year-old John Hunter Hospital doctor was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the medical profession.
And Newcastle’s Y Project was recognised as the 2019 Community Group of the Year.
Fireworks, which had to be postponed on New Year’s Eve owing to inclement weather, were set off over the Harbour around 8pm to herald in the national holiday.
Australia Day 2019 in Newcastle and the Hunter
- Dale Goldie awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to Kearsley
- Professor Afaf Girgis named Member of the Order of Australia for service to medicine and medical education in cancer control and psycho-oncology
- Prue Viggers receives Australia Day honours for her services to Newcastle community and the local art scene
- Jim Psaros honoured for work to support Hunter's at-risk youth