The event took 18 months of preparation.

Wiradjuri dancers from Wellington High School and Wellington Public School kicked off the day with a captivating performance before Aboriginal elder, Aunty Joyce Williams, welcomed the crowd. 

There was a re-enactment of the arrival of explorer Lieutenant John Oxley and his party in the Wellington valley on Friday, August 18, 1817.

The valley was named in honour of the Duke of Welllington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo.

Six years later the Government set up a settlement in the valley – home of the Wiradjui people, the traditional owners of the land.

The re-enactment was led by Ken Dombrain as Lieutenant Oxley with team members: Peter Barton as George Evans, High Taylor as Allan Cunningham, and local school students Livvy Taylor, Will Eather, Liam Miller, Alex Graham, Anthony Ah See, Archie Rich, Shep Taylor, Will Horton, Deacon George and Jack Whiteley.

The master of ceremonies for the Bicentennial celebrations was Tim Gilbert of the TODAY Show from Channel Nine

Wellington Bicentenary Committee member Mark Griggs, Dubbo Regional Council administrator Michael Kneipp, Dubbo MP Troy Grant and Calare Federal MP Andrew Gee all spoke at the ceremony and wished the vibrant community of over 8000 residents a happy birthday.

Special guest and award-winning actor, Wellington-born Max Cullen, had the audience in fits of laughter as he spoke of his connection with the town.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the Binjang Memorial.

Crowds lingered in and around Cameron Park where they enjoyed an Indigenous art exhibition, a market with food and other stalls, coffee and entertainment for the kids, the highlight being a vintage carousel.