AUSTRALIA Day brought South Gippslanders together in celebration at Meeniyan Town Hall on Sunday morning.
The Australian flag was raised at the cenotaph before proceedings commenced inside where the positive mood was set by a stirring rendition of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ performed by the Black Notes, local identity Tarnya Wilson the singer.
Six community members became Australian Citizens, hearing from Member for Monash Russell Broadbent on his pride in the nation and from local Avril van Wamel about her experience since arriving as a 10 Pound Pom 60 years ago.
Avril, who contributes to the community through her voluntary efforts with the Meeniyan Progress Association, the local art gallery, bowls club and op shop and the Red Cross, said the country of your birth is your heritage, but Australia is the country that brings us all together.
She recalled arriving with notions of Aussies being sheep farmers, life savers or good-looking tennis players, knowing a little of Aboriginal people but not their history or struggles.
Avril spoke of her family link to Australia, her father having helped load the components of Captain Cook’s Cottage onto a ship in Hull for its journey to Melbourne.
While it took her time to get used to Australian quirks such as adding a ‘y’ to the end of many words and the strange game of Aussie Rules, Avril ultimately became an Australian citizen in 1976.
“We are living in the best country in the world, and I really believe we are living in the best part of it,” she told Sunday’s audience.
South Gippsland Shire Council Citizen of the Year Ian Rasmussen spoke, getting emotional when he acknowledged wife Dawn, crediting her fantastic support for enabling him to achieve what he has.
Tarnya Wilson and June Powell represented all who helped get the 40th anniversary celebration of Meeniyan Tavern Nights together, the occasion being the shire’s Event of the Year.
Young Citizen of the Year, Charlotte ‘Charli’ Ogden was also acknowledged although unable to be present, all the awards having been presented at a ceremony earlier in the month.
People joined the Black Notes in singing ‘We Are Australian’, the group having performed ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’.
With formalities complete, attendees moved outside, chatting and enjoying the hospitality of the local fire brigade and CWA.