How Penrith has celebrated Australia Day over the years

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Australia Day has been celebrated in many different ways over the years in Penrith.

Back in the 1980s, a street parade through the Penrith CBD became a tradition. This photo shows the parade in High Street in 1982.

Photo: Penrith City Library.

Politicians visiting Australia Day babies was also a thing in the 1980s and 1990s.

Below, Penrith Mayor Bill Gayed visits Nepean Hospital to welcome Australia Day babies in 1993.

Photo: Penrith City Library.

St Marys has also hosted Australia Day parades over the years.

Below, the Penrith Panthers cheerleaders are seen as part of the parade on Queen Street in 1982.

Photo: Penrith City Library.

Local businesses celebrated Australia Day in many different ways.

Here’s staff from Coles Penrith in the 1980s, celebrating January 26.

Photo: Penrith City Library.

The Nepean River has always been a focus of Australia Day celebrations, especially given the warm weather.

Here’s a shot from January 26, 1982.

Photo: Penrith City Library.

For a few years from around 2008, Penrith City Council held major Australia Day events at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

The events featured ambassadors and top-line entertainment.

Australia Day at the Regatta Centre in 2010.

In recent years, Penrith’s main Australia Day celebration has been held at Ripples in Penrith and St Marys.

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