Social photos: Australia Day 2026
See who has been seen out and about in the Murraylands this week, thanks to Spry Holdings.
Celebrating Australia Day in Murray Bridge are Scott Cameron; Mike Thiele and Kerryn Stevens; Peter Harden and Gus Slotegraaf; Tahlia and Joe Ross; Sam, Avery and Chanel Dowler; and Sadie Podger, Cecily Graetz, Joy Burgess and Christine Wright. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
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Hundreds of people have gathered to celebrate Australia Day at events around the Murraylands in 2026.
An early start helped everyone avoid the heat in Murray Bridge, where Kai Martin proved a popular choice as citizen of the year and the whole event was done by 9am.
At Mannum, a brunch was moved forward from 11 to 10.30am so folks could get home a little sooner, and young Thomas Hogben and Sophie Frahn were among the award winners for the Mid Murray district.
Down at Mary Ann Reserve are James Fitzhardinge and Pete Cheyne; Roxy and Wes Marshall with Winston and Xena; Ken Jenkins and Luke Bailey; Mark Nevin; Barry and Lynette Warneke; and Johneen and Victoria Hammond. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
It was an indoor affair down at Tailem Bend, where Don Green was named citizen of the year.
All the region’s events were done by lunch time, which was just as well – the temperature surged up to 45.2 degrees in Murray Bridge by 4pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Although patriotism ran high at all the events, there were mentions of the day’s problematic reputation among many Indigenous Australians, for whom January 26 represents the beginning of 238 years of occupation by a foreign power.
Celebrating at Tailem are Maxine Kiddie; Raylene Thomas and Joyce Holmes; Brenton Qualman and Emily Brown; Josh Qualman; Margaret Jaensch and Paul Bartlett; and Kaye Bartlett and Bill Jaensch. Photos: Glenn Power.
Australia Day ambassador Stella Braund described January 26 as a day for everyone to come together, reflect on the past and accept the truth of our nation’s history.
Mid Murray Mayor Simone Bailey urged all Australians to contribute to a stronger future by committing to reconciliation, and to aspire to an Australia Day that would recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, too.
In the meantime, flags were festooned, folk songs were sung and stars and crosses were the fashion of the day.
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