This year the celebration will be held alongside the popular Saltwater Freshwater Festival.

Australia Day 2020 is going to be a wonderful celebration of culture, citizenship, community and appreciation for some very special people from across the region, mayor David West said.

This ceremony, being held at the Forster Sporting Complex in Lake Street, will include region-wide award recipients with nominations coming from all across the MidCoast in six categories.

It was also important for council to change the overall focus of the day and highlight the importance of the local Aboriginal culture.

"I'm really pleased that we're taking steps in the right direction to ensure Australia Day is a multi-faceted celebration that showcases our strong Aboriginal heritage across the Mid Coast as well as welcoming our new citizens and awarding outstanding members and groups within our community," Cr West said.

"I'm especially grateful to the organisers of the Saltwater Freshwater Festival for helping to build this wonderful relationship."

Australia Day ambassador, Mid Coast RFS district manager, Superintendent Kam Baker AFSM, is taking time out of his ongoing firefighting efforts to represent his community on this special day.

"We're honoured to have Kam as our ambassador this year, he really is a wonderful example of what an Australia Day ambassador should be."

While Australia Day ceremonies are still being held across the Mid Coast, the council civic ceremony together with the Saltwater Freshwater Festival, begins at 8.30am at Forster Sporting Complex, opposite the YMCA in Lake Street, Forster.

The citizenship ceremony, speeches and Australia Day awards presentation will run until 10am when the festival will begin.

Related:

Saltwater Freshwater Festival, an initiative of Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance (SWFW), has attracted more than 50,000 attendees since its beginnings back in 2010 and has engaged the talents and skills of more than 300 volunteers.

As always the festival will include food stalls, an arts and craft market, performances and cultural workshops in canoes, dance, weaving and language as well as elders storytelling and bush tucker tours.

Entry is a gold coin donation and this is an alcohol and smoke free event.

And for a full list of all Australia Day ceremonies taking place across the Mid Coast, head to the council website

Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Great Lakes Advocate newsletter here.