“Australia is an outdoor country. People only go inside to use the toilet. And that's only a recent development.”

There is no excuse for not getting out and being a part of the community in our region this Australia Day.

Our councils help facilitate some terrific events for us on this day and with the weather expected to be “bonzer” it will be a great day to be out in the Illawarra.

Whatever your choice of activity on Australia Day please enjoy yourselves and stay safe.

Be considerate of others and look after each one another.

If you are taking a dip, make sure you do at one of our many patrolled beaches in this region and swim please between the flags.

The action in Wollongong will kick off on Saturday morning and run through until the fireworks display at 9 pm. A crowd of 50,000 is expected to be in attendance.

The event is spread over four locations; Wollongong Harbour, Osborne Park, Lang Park and Flagstaff Hill.

The Ozzy Dog Show proved a popular addition to the entertainment which includes live music, sporting events, lantern parade and cultural performances.

Shellharbour will once again kick off its celebrations with the traditoinal Breakfast By The Lake with heaps of events and entertainment through until midday.

Kiama Municipal Council’s Australia Day celebrations will kicked off at 7am at Old School Park in Gerringong, Kiama Downs’ Jones Beach, Coronation Park in Kiama. The event at Jamberoo’s Kevin Walsh Oval will start at 8am.

There will be bacon and egg breakfasts at each of the locations. How more Aussie can you get. There is plenty of of opportunities to be a part of the community this weekend. Make sure you are a positive part of it.

For a full guide of events go to illawarramercury.co.au. Saturday’s edition of the Mercury will be a special Australia Day edition and will reveal who the honours list for the Illawarra.