Rockdale’s Australia Day will feature country legend Col Hardy

Australia Day is here, and communities around the country are gearing up to celebrate. Luckily, you don’t need to travel too far to join the fun. If you’re in the Carlton neighbourhood today, you can head over to Depena Reserve for Rockdale City’s Australia Day festivities. This year, country musician and former Kogarah resident Col Hardy, an OAM and Australian Country Music Living Legend Award recipient, has been selected as the Australia Day ambassador for Rockdale.

A lifetime of music

Col Hardy, an Aboriginal of the Kamilaroi tribe, was born in Brewarrina, NSW. Hardy’s musical career began when he taught himself to play guitar at a young age. Soon after, he won a talent show hosted by Willie Fennell. That led to a stint with The Willie Fennell Travelling Show. Hardy moved to Sydney in 1962 to help out his music career, but he continued travelling and performing around Australia.

In 1972, Hardy received a Golden Guitar for his EP “Protest Protest”. He was the first Aboriginal to receive that award. Hardy is a member of the Country Music Hands of Fame in Tamworth, and was recognised as the 1990 Aboriginal Artist of the Year for NSW.

Celebration at Botany Bay

Col Hardy joins the official celebrations, which kicked off at 8:15 a.m. today. The event features a Welcome to Country, flag raising, citizenship ceremony, and the presentation of the Rockdale Citizen of the Year awards.

The festivities continue with a sausage sizzle sponsored by local scouts, family entertainment, and performances by Soul Drummer, Peppermint Jam and Diramu Aboriginal Dance and Didgeridoo.

Join the fun in Carlton

Exciting community events like this are just one of the many reasons people choose real estate in Carlton. If you want to be part of a vibrant and energised community, contact Ray White Carlton today!