More than 3000 people woke early to get to Reddall Reserve on the edge of Lake Illawarra to enjoy Shellharbour City Council's popular Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake.
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The $4 charity breakfast has raised more than $106,000 for community organisations over the past 10 years.
The official proceedings began early with St Vincent de Paul charity volunteer Peter Lindwall from Mount Warrigal, named Shellharbour City Citizen of the Year 2013 for his outstanding volunteer work.
Rowan Parkinson, 18, from Warilla was announced as the Shellharbour City Young Citizen of the Year 2013 for his community involvement, including being the youngest member on the board of the Watershed - Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Centre.
After a welcome from elder Reuben Brown and speeches from Throsby MP Stephen Jones and Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba, new St George Illawarra captain Ben Creagh gave the Australia Day address as Shellharbour's Australia Day ambassador.
Twenty-one Shellharbour residents then took part in Shellharbour's Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
The crowd continued to build during the day, many taking part in the sand modelling competition, others enjoying live music, stalls, rides and entertainment at the Reserve.