Australia Day 2009 in Violet Town
Over 50 years ago Fred Russell moved to Violet Town taking a mail delivery contract that lasted 34 years. Fred has been an active member of the CFA since the mid 1960s and continues to be active in the community. Click image.
As in previous years, Australia Day celebrations got off to a great start with a free full breakfast provided by members of the Lions Club and a wonderful group of Violet Town ladies.
Former Strathbogie Shire councillor, Robin Machin, called for the raising of the flag by long time resident, Fred Russell, before joining everyone singing the National Anthem.
We were fortunate to have the band, led by John Dunne, providing musical accompaniment and entertainment during the celebrations.
MC for the celebrations, Robyn Machin introduces our guest speakers. Click image
Robyn then proceeded to make a special welcome to our a Ambassador,Tony Wheeler, and Guest Brad Connell Manager of Safeway Supermarket in Benalla.
Safeway Supermarket manager, Brad Connell gave thanks for being invited to the celebrations and explained how Woolworths have taken the ambassadorial program to the whole of Australia, donating the profit for one day of trading, increasing annually to now around $5m, to worthy recipients.
We were fortunate to have speaking to us as Ambassador, Tony Wheeler creator of the Lonely Planet Guides, this Australia Day. Tony gave details of all cities, towns and countries that he has visited and those that he is going to visit this year and explained how the whole, very successful business started.
Violet Town and District Local Awards
Mayor, Howard Myers accepts the citation of 'Citizen of the Year, Shire-wide as part of the Australia Day celebrations. Click image.
Eagerly anticipated, the citations for outstanding citizens and groups throughout the Shire, provided worthy recognition to the recipients.
Shortly after saying a few words as the Mayor of Strathbogie Shire, Howard Myers again took the microphone saying that "I did not wish this to be the 'Howard Myers Day'", as he accepted the Citizen of the Year, Shire-wide award from Tony Wheeler. Howard quickly shifted emphasis telling the audience of the Violet Town community's achievements, many of which Howard was wholly involved with.
The second award, Community Event / Group of the Year, was made to the group which organised the Violet Town Pool 50th anniversary celebration.
The award was accepted by Robbie Rae, and Robbie Harrison on behalf of the group who produced the bound history of the Violet Town Swimming Pool. Copies of the booklet, '50 Splashing Years' are available from the Editor, see contact details below.
Donations by Violet Town Op Shop
Marion Scriven, Julie Ryan and Sue McNutt representing the Op Shop team, proudly announced the donations to our very worthy Violet Town recipients. Click image
Once again the Op Shop was able to donate to the community, unfortunately for the last time in the foreseeable future, large sums of money raised from the sale of goods given to the Op Shop. The premises, occupied to the present free of charge by Jane Murphy for the last 17 years, is no longer habitable forcing the closure of business on 14 December 2008 until new premises can be found.
Marion Scriven, Julie Ryan and Sue McNutt representing the Op Shop team, proudly announced the donations to our very worthy Violet Town recipients. Marion thanked all volunteers over the years who have donated so much of their time. A list of the donations, totalling $20,000, follows:
Choir of Hard Knocks concert organising group: $1000
Friends of the Violet Town Swimming Pool: $1000
Violet Town CFA: $2000
Anglican Church of St Dunstan: $1000
Violet Town Football and Netball Club: $2000
Violet Town Kindergarten: $2000
Violet Town Uniting Church: $1000
Violet Town Cricket Club: $1000
Violet Town Community House Youth Program: $2000
Violet Town Bowls Club: $2000
St Attractus: $1000
Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre,specifically for the GP clinic, for landscaping and for equipment: $4000
In conclusion Robyn Machin thanked all who provided their time and effort in making the day the success it was, including the band, the Lions club, the breakfast team led by Dot Rae, the Ambassador and of course those who joined in the celebrations.
