A crowd more than 1000 strong packed Riverside Park yesterday for breakfast and to celebrate what it means to be Australia.
People from all over the region came together to enjoy a traditional breakfast of bacon, eggs and sausages with family and friends by the Murray.
Australia Day Breakfast co-ordinator Marie Schlemme said it had been a highly successful morning.
“It has been truly amazing,” she said.
“I think it’s wonderful to see so many people of the Swan Hill community come out and celebrate this amazing country.
“The highlight for me is the volunteers who bring it all together and the public who come and celebrate the day.
“All the volunteers do it for the same reason every year, to provide an event for the community,” she said.
Swan Hill Australia Day ambassadors Michael Cristiano and Lisa Edwards performed during the breakfast and gave their Australia Day address.
Ms Edwards said she always enjoyed coming to regional towns to celebrate Australia Day.
“I’m a lifetime ambassador and have worked in regional areas all around the country as part of my position,” she said.
“It’s such a beautiful day to see all the community come together.”
Student achievement awards were handed out by mayor Les McPhee followed by the citizen awards.
Patrick Dillon was awarded Citizen of the Year in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the communities of Swan Hill and Lake Boga.
Swan Hill College dux James Schifferle was awarded Young Citizen of the Year for his outstanding academic achievements.
Mallee Cruisers Car Club were awarded the Community Event of the Year for their Cruze 4 Awareness fundraiser.
To read more about this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (January 27).
