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AUSSIE pride was on display when thousands of Australia Day revellers packed the shores of Lake Wendouree on Saturday.
Snags sizzled, picnic rugs unfurled and Australian flags flew, before families took their spots around the lake to watch the 3BA Skyworks Spectacular light up the night sky in a multitude of colours.
“They were pretty,” said Jessica Healey, 5, of Ballan, who was clearly impressed with the show.
Her dad Allister Healey said Jessica and her siblings had been talking about the fireworks for at least three days in the lead up to the event.
“We’ve had it on the calender and they’ve really looked forward to it,” he said.
Ballarat Police Acting Sergeant Daniel Grainger said it was the best behaved Australia Day crowd at the lake in years.
A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria also said there were no major incidents. The lake was a hive of activity from 5pm, with entertainment from the Ballarat Municipal Band and Sing Australia Choir.
Lots of people brought picnic rugs, some brought their own chairs and Phillip Dermody, of Ballarat, even thought to bring his own barbeque.
He was in charge of cooking the snags while his friends fought it out in a “big cricket match”.
Meanwhile, Ballarat residents Helen and John Atkins arrived early in the evening to stake out a prime vantage point to watch the fireworks.
Ms Atkins said it was an annual tradition.
“I just like to be involved with the activities that go on here,” she said.
“It doesn’t seem an Australia Day if you don’t come down to watch the fireworks.”
Waubra resident Josh Kotek and his friends celebrated the day by dressing up for the occasion.
Mr Kotek, who was wearing a full-body morph suit in the colours of the Australian flag, said he hoped his costume had helped to “spread the Aussie joy”.
rachel.afflick@fairfaxmedia.com.au