PAGE 18 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Proud to be an Aussie Leongatha shares Aussie spirit A FANTASTIC crowd turned out for Leongatha and district’s Australia Day celebrations last Tuesday.
The weather offered blue skies at McIndoe Park and MC Leonie McCluskey was thrilled with the result of the event.
“It was wonderful to have 13 new citizens and their family and friends come along for the morning and you couldn’t ask for better weather,” she said. The new citizens hailed from Vietnam, China, India, Denmark and the UK, and now reside in Leongatha, Foster, Mirboo North, Ko-
rumburra and Sandy Point. As well as the heart warming citizenship ceremony, the crowd was enthralled by a moving speech from Australia Day ambassador, Leongatha Football Club coach Beau Vernon, and some classic Australia tunes by the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band, featuring
talented local singer Janie Gordon. “Beau certainly drew in a crowd and it was terrific to have Janie Gordon and the band work so well together to provide quality entertainment,” Ms McCluskey said. South Gippsland Shire Council’s Australia Day award winners were ac-
Welcome: from left, Abbie Tapsell, Joshua Bradbury (not a new citizen), Lewis Bradbury, Wendy Bradbury, Sabu Augustine, Etta Stewart and Sally Watt were involved in the Australia Day citizenship ceremony in Leongatha.
True blue: from left, Leongatha’s Sienna, Nathan and Josh Hunt were prepped to spread some Australia Day cheer at Leongatha’s McIndoe Park with their Australian flags.
knowledged for their tremendous work within the community, and certificates were presented. The winners of the Leongatha window competition for Australia Day in-
cluded the outright winner Lulu Cafe and runners-up, Serafinos Pizzeria and Bendigo Bank. Following the official proceedings, St Peter’s Anglican Church provided fun
activities for the children including a jumping castle, face painting and games. A sausage sizzle breakfast was also held, provided generously by the Leongatha community groups.
Ceremony: from left, Ngoc Ly, Dean Huynh, Binh Nguyen, Hannah McFadden, Maria Hilligso Chadwick and Bai Xu were given their citizenship certificates and congratulated by South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Bob Newton at McIndoe Park, Leongatha, on Australia Day. Ida and Oskar Hilligso Chadwick (front) supported their mother Maria.
Australia Day pride: from left, Leongatha scouts and venturers David Williams, Janet Williams, John Simpson, Chloe Simpson and Billy Simpson were thrilled to celebrate Australia Day at McIndoe Park, Leongatha, and to hear the 19th Gippsland Scouts Corroboree won the Event of the Year award.
Wonderful music: from left, filling Leongatha’s McIndoe Park with some Australian favourites were local singer Janie Gordon and members of the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band, Ralph Christensen, Doug Appleton, Judy Stampton and Cr Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks.
Meeniyan celebrates community and country FAMILY and friends gathered at Meeniyan Town Hall to celebrate Australia Day on Tuesday, January 26.
Catherine Waldron, Meeniyan’s 2015 Australia Day Citizen of the Year nominee in South Gippsland
Shire Council’s awards, hosted the proceedings with local community organisations, schools and volunteer groups in attendance. “There are so many people who contribute to the Australian spirit on a daily basis,” Tarwin Valley Primary School principal Brett Smith said at the beginning of the ceremony.
“Today is an opportunity to celebrate Australia Day your way and celebrate what is great about our country.” Barrister, lecturer and Australia Day ambassador William Lye spoke to the crowds about the importance of community. “Meeniyan really is the Legendairy capital of Gippsland. There is a great
spirit in this town and it is my great privilege to be here,” Mr Lye said. “It is great to see celebrations like these bring together the heart and soul of the community.” Citizen of the Year nominee Richard Powell spoke of his experiences volunteering in Meeniyan since his arrival in 2000.
Aussies celebrated: from left, Australia Day ambassador William Lye, Youth Community Contribution nominee Gemma Martin, 2015 Citizen of the Year nominee Catherine Waldron, Country Women’s Association Gippsland Hills president Heather Scott and Citizen of the Year nominee Richard Powell at Meeniyan’s Australia Day celebrations.
“We have seen so many volunteers work in the area to make a difference to the lives of rural citizens,” he said. “I wish to thank the Meeniyan Progress Association for nominating me for Citizen of the Year.” Youth Community Contribution nominee Gemma Martin spoke of her fundraising efforts for the Leukaemia Foundation for which she helped raised $7000 last year. “It was such a privilege to
connect to the broader community and raise funds for cancer research,” she said. Ms Martin hopes to inspire other youths to partake in volunteer activities within the community. “I feel it is my responsibility to give back to the community groups who have given me so much,” she said. Heather Scott spoke on behalf of the Gippsland Hills Country Women’s Association for the group’s
nomination of Event of the Year for its 61st exhibition. “I attended the first Gippsland Hills exhibition when I was one year old so it was fantastic to organise it last year. Meeniyan will hold the exhibition again this year following last year’s success,” Ms Scott said. Acoustic Kitchen provided live entertainment, while Meeniyan and Stony Creek CFA put on a barbecue breakfast for all guests.
Barbeque heroes: from left, Colin Young and Peter Graham of Meeniyan and Stony Creek CFA put on a big breakfast for locals at Meeniyan Town Hall on Australia Day.