Celebrating Australia Day 2008
Violet Town Lions Club again provided an excellent 'Aussie' breakfast. click image
With breakfast on the Community Centre lawn, starting at 7:30 am a large crowd arrived to participate in the celebration of Australia Day in Violet Town.
Community groups again gathered to share in the organising and provision of breakfast, the placing of tables and chairs and equipment and for this we are grateful.
Councillor Robyn Machin then opened the celebrations with a welcome to all, special thanks to those who organised the event and an invitation for everyone to join in the singing of the National Anthem (first and second verse)- beautifully led by Renee Rankin. The Euroa Citizens Band under the baton of John Dunn, entertained the audience during breakfast and provided musical support to the choir.
Renee Rankin led the audience in the singing of the National Anthem. click image
Of special note this year, Mr Beverley (Bev) Ralston born 26 January 1910, raised the flag assisted by Ted Armstrong. Bev has lived all his life in the area, attending the Riggs Creek School.
He worked at Nolans as foreman as well as running the family farm and lives on his farm at Moglonemby with his wife Lenis. Every one sang 'Happy Birthday' to Bev and wished him well.
Brad Cornell, Manager of Safeway / Woolworths Supermarket in Benalla introduced our Australia Day Ambassador Mr Tony Beddison AO who kindly agreed to participate in our celebrations. After accepting a commemorative Ambassador pin Tony Beddison thanked everyone for the invitation and acknowledged the unstinting work of volunteers in Australia and particularly in Violet Town.
Mr Bev. Ralston raises the flag during the Australia Day celebrations. click image
He went on to say "I am one of 135 Ambassadors in Victoria adding our voices to today's celebration of Australia. I am proud to be part of a program that is now truly national - Australia Day Ambassadors are now participating in celebrations right across Australia, in every State and Territory, for the first time this year.
Australia Day is the perfect time to reflect on what our country means to us. What it has been in the past, what it is now and what we want it to be in the future. We have much to celebrate - a democratic and peaceful nation, a diverse and lively community, an exciting history and a big future.
Last year I had the privilege to be Chairman of the 12th FINA World Championships Corporation.
We hosted 175 nations and were watched by a television audience of over 1 billion people.
Australia Day Ambassador Tony Beddison presents John Dunn with 'Citizen of the Year Award, Violet Town'. click image
It was, after the Sydney Olympics, the largest number of countries to compete in Australia but I was struck by the wonderful custom of Australians, to volunteer. There were over 2,000 volunteers at the Championships and you may be interested to know that over 40% of all Australians contribute to their communities or country as volunteers. 40%!
Australia has always been a drawcard for those with imagination, a capacity to work hard, seize opportunities and build something new. Generations of settlers, from all over the world, have come here to create a better future for themselves and for their children. Not surprisingly we have also turned out to be a pretty resilient mob. We experience the cycle of good times and hard times, of plenty and drought. We stand by each other in the hard times and we know how to celebrate the good times.
Val Russell and Doris Mullavey accept the award for ‘Community Group Event of the Year Award, Violet Town’. click image
I would like to acknowledge the important sponsorship of Safeway that makes the Australia Day Ambassador Program possible. The support of Australian companies such as Safeway in promoting Australia Day, as part of their service to the community is greatly appreciated and I encourage others in the business world to join them in supporting Australia Day activities, especially at local level.
It is through events such as Australia Day that our true sense of community can be expressed and this is made possible only through the hard work of many people within the community. Thank you! Enjoy Australia Day and my best wishes for the coming year."
Tony then assisted with the presenting of Violet Town awards with the first going to John Dunn for his outstanding contribution to the community. Very obvious in the uniform of the Euroa Citizens Band, John was awarded the 'Citizen of the Year Award, Violet Town with wide acclaim from the audience.
Retiring Senior Constable Trevor Saker accepts special community recognition for his role in the community. click image
Another well deserved award, the 'Community Group Event of the Year' was presented to Val Russell and Doris Mullavey on behalf of the School Sites history group so ably organised by Robin Landvogt. Doris then explained the success of the project that saw the research of four schools on six sites, the placing and unveiling of plaques and the preparation of a book with photographs provided by former teachers and pupils thanking Robin for all her work.
With the retiring of Senior Constable Trevor Saker from duty at the Violet Town Police Station a special presentation was made to Trevor and his family in recognition of his commitment to the community in both his professional role and in their involvement in sporting activities from which a large part of the community has benefited in some way.
Captain of the Violet Town CFA, Howard Myers accepts a cheque for $1,000 presented by the Op Shop. click image
In accepting the award Trevor was almost at a loss for words but did say that it had been a privilege to be part of the community and thanked his family for their support.
To complete the celebrations, the Violet Town Op Shop presented the CFA with a cheque for $1,000. Captain of the Violet Town CFA, Howard Myers, in accepting the cheque, made possible by the generous donation of goods by the community, explained how the CFA is negotiating to have the existing CFA building moved and made available to the Op Shop as more appropriate premises.
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858
