Diana and Bob Keating, who both have strong ties to numerous community groups in town, and David Roe, a driving force behind Merton Living, will vie for the main title.

Muswellbrook Shire Council is hosting three special events to celebrate the Australia Day weekend in 2020.

A cocktail party in the Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music's (UHCM) Atherstone Room on Saturday, January 25, will kick off the festivities from 4.30pm when the awards for the Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year are announced.

To attend the function at the UHCM, contact Susanne Tobin on 6549 3708 for catering purposes.

Afterwards, at 6pm, the opening night of the exciting Archibald Prize Regional Tour and declaration of the winners of the Junior Archies is on at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre.

Everyone is welcome to witness the fantastic works.

The following day, on Sunday, January 26, council will stage a citizenship ceremony as well as presentations for Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Services to Sport, Sustainability, Social Inclusion and the North Oak awards, at the Denman Memorial Hall from 9am.

Later, between 1pm and 4pm, the celebration will continue with a family fun day at the Denman Memorial Hall with barbecue lunch, entertainment and activities for the kids.

Both the Muswellbrook and Denman pools will be open with free entry from 1pm to 4pm.