AUSSIE, Aussie, Aussie!
INXS played by the Daryl McKenzie Band, snags and bacon sizzling, flags everywhere and more vintage cars than you can poke a stick at — Swan Hill’s Australia Day Breakfast was a cracker event.
According to Rotary Club members manning the gate a whopping 1100 Swan Hillians had made their way through the gates by 8am to see Alistair McCooke speak and eagerly awaited the Citizen of the Year Awards.
Stalls were set for the Get Behind the Mallee Djoker campaign, the Australian Air Force Cadets and the local State Emergency Services among many others.
The Kelly Sisters jumped on stage with the Daryl McKenzie and regaled the crowd with their enamouring rendition of Advance Australia Fair and I Am Australian.
Mayor Les McPhee presented the Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Awards to Joseph Taverna and Robert Caccaviello for their commitment to the community.
The Student Achievement Awards went to St Mary MacKillop College senior Lea Boschen for her sporting and role model achievements, and Breeana Basile in the junior.
From Swan Hill College Benjamin Lewin was awarded the senior award for his outstanding schoolwork and Scott Smith in the junior.
Jonathon Wright from the Swan Hill Specialist School was awarded for his mentoring and leadership endeavours, and also recognised for his work with the school’s catering team.
Other recipients include Rory Colville from Swan Hill Primary, Liam Wiseman from Swan Hill North Primary, Grace Scott from St Mary’s Primary and Brendan Ayers from Woorinen District Primary.
As Alistair McCooke said in his address, it was a great day to be Australian.
For more Australia Day coverage, check out Wednesday’s Guardian (January 27, 2016).
