Australia Day celebrations last Friday morning in Bairnsdale were again organised by the Bairnsdale Classic Car Club, assisted by East Gippsland Historical Automobile Club and supported by East Gippsland Shire and the National Australia Day Council.
The event went off exceptionally well with more than 270 people attending the breakfast and awards ceremony. The cooks did a superb job catering for the crowd with bacon, eggs, and sausages.
Aboriginal Gunai Kurnai elder, Lisa Giblin, performed a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country. Lisa spoke of the story of how her ancestors arrived here and their story. It was very well received.
President of the car club, Grover Hurle, welcomed guests and thanked the historic automobile club for their support.
Local MP Darren Chester gave a talk on the history of Australia and how we can move forward as Australians, saying we are all part of the story and we made Australia what it is today.
Indian Jag Singh, who now lives in Bairnsdale, is qualified as an accountant and is a CFA volunteer, spoke of his home town, how he came to Australia to study accountancy and is living in Australia. He said it is the best country in the world.
East Gippsland Shire Councillor, Trevor Stow, gave an address and then presented the Youth Citizen of the Year award to Danika Woods for her exceptional work in schools. Danika received an Australia Day certificate and a medallion while Country Women’s Association member, Olivia Harwood, presented Danika with a gift from the CWA.
Max Curtis presented Danika with a gift voucher for the book store, on behalf of the car club, with an Australia Day water bottle and badges.
Cr Stow and Mr Curtis presented the Australia Day certificate and medallion for the Citizen of the Year to David Murphy for the excellent and tireless work he does at the RSL with helping legatees and members.
Cr Stow and Mr Curtis presented the Australia Day certificate and medallion to the Community Event of the Year to the Bairnsdale Carols by Candlelight with Graham Venables accepting the award for the group.
Alison McGoldrick accepted awards for East Gippsland Brass who were acknowledged with an Australia Day certificate for their commitment to the carols and other events in the area while Ms McGoldrick received a medallion for organising her team to make the Carols by Candlelight so successful.
