THE Australia Day breakfast event at Riverside Park in Swan Hill gathered a strong crowd of patriotic community members who joined together to celebrate the nation’s birthday.
With more than 800 people turning out to enjoy a cooked Aussie style breakfast yesterday, it was also a chance to acknowledge the event’s 40th birthday.
Proceedings kicked off with a performance by local musician Jason Davies followed by the official party arrival at 7.15am in a 1936 vintage fire engine.
The band Code One also provided live music and played classic Australian music to get the crowd in the mood as they enjoyed sausages, eggs and tomato straight off the barbecue.
There were plenty of activities on offer including face painting for children and photo albums depicting the past 40 years of Australia Day events.
Vintage cars, SES and CFA mascots were also on hand to entertain the crowd.
But for many, it was the chance to catch up with friends and fellow community members that made the morning special.
Marli Burgman and her partner, Greg Walker, have been attending the Australia Day celebrations for more than 20 years and said they try to never miss one.
“It’s just a great way to celebrate our beautiful country,” Ms Burgman said.
“I also love catching up with friends here, some have been coming for many years also.”
Mr Walker echoed the sentiment.
“I love catching up with old friends, some you might not see all year but you get a chance to have a chat and find out how they’re doing.”
At 8.50am, the official ceremonies began with the Australia Day address from Australia Day ambassador and Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle and school children from around the region were awarded for their contributions to their school and community.
Community Australia Day awards were presented by Mayor Bill Moar with Hana Roberts receiving the young citizen of the year award in recognition of her community work and advocacy.
Hana has been a member of the Novo Youth Council since 2017, involved in planning and managing youth events like Make a Change Film Festival, R U OK? Day, Cruze 4 Awareness, youth leadership camps and Wear It Purple Day.
She was also the Swan Hill Youth Arts Festival ambassador in 2018, and a member of festival committee for a number of years.
Meanwhile, Robinvale’s Narelle McClure was awarded citizen of the year for her long and valued service to the community.
According to her citation, Ms McClure has been a “staunch” support and committee member for local football and netball club and for the 2018 Villers-Bretonneux commemoration.
The community event of the year award was received by the Nyah district Christmas carnival.
The family-friendly carnival is the major annual community gathering for people in the Nyah district, including the communities of Nyah, Nyah West, Koraleigh, Vinifera and Wood Wood.
This year’s event also paid homage to local volunteers and when they were asked to stand at the front of the stage, their numbers were so great they filled the entire length of the sound shell several deep.
A stirring rendition of I Am Australian by Rianne Quaife had patrons on their feet and Reverend Peter Blundell read the Australia Day prayer.
An affirmation to Australia was then read by Major Nottle and the national flag was raised as the community stood once again to sing the Australian national anthem.
Past Mayor Barry Steggall was invited on stage and spoke about the first Australia Day event 40 years ago.
Mr Steggall was part of a committee that implemented a community celebration in Campbell Street and said he was pleased to see all subsequent mayors had continued the tradition.
The event concluded at 9.30am with many people heading off to enjoy other activities in the perfect Mallee weather.
More coverage from Australia Day in Wednesday’s edition of The Guardian.
