THERE was no flag raising, no singing of the national anthem and no community awards but there was no mistaking the fact that the ‘Gathering of Neighbours’ at Rhyll on Sunday was an Australia Day celebration all the same.
The Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo had the Aussie flag flying proudly at their free sausage sizzle tent and there were plenty of Aussie-theme t-shirts, flags and other nods to our national day as the people streamed in to hear music, stop off at the food trucks, get their face painted and inspect the line-up of historic cars.
Here too there was a salute to Australiana with a classic FJ Holden, old HR and a Sandman panel van among the historic and luxury cars on display.
Jim Inness of Rhyll rolled out his fully-imported 1953 Ford Victoria Crestline for the event, a two-door cruiser with a 239 cubic inch V8.
“It’s a three-speed V8 with overdrive so it just purrs, even today, when you’re sitting on a 100km/h. You’ve got to be able to enjoy life,” he said.
One of the organisers Judy Lawrence was delighted with the turnout.
“It’s been a fabulous day with a relaxed vibe, an opportunity for the community to get together with an open invite to visitors as well,” she said.
“They’ve enjoyed the music, the kids’ activities and of course, the free sausage sizzle.”
Sponsored by the National Australia Day Council, the event which is the third community get-together on Australia Day, was organised by the Phillip Island and District Historical Society and the Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo.
