There was a sea of Australian flags across the Limestone Coast on Tuesday as the region celebrated Australia Day.
Celebrations spanned Mount Gambier’s Cave Gardens, Penola’s War Memorial Park, the Kalangadoo Institute, Beachport’s Centennial Park, the Southend beach and Millicent’s Jubilee Park – and everywhere in between.
Mount Gambier’s Cave Gardens hosted a breakfast on the lawns, followed by the presentation of Mount Gambier City Council’s Australia Day awards.
Mayor Lynette Martin then presided over a citizenship ceremony in the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre where 51 people became Australian citizens.
Grant District Council held a private event to mark the occasion, with guests invited to the Mount Gambier Regional Airport for its citizen of the year award presentations. Those attending enjoyed a welcome ceremony and brunch before the presentation of the awards.
Millicent’s annual Australia Day breakfast at Jubilee Park was well attended by a gathering of 300.
Millicent Lions Club member Michael Bleby was the master of ceremonies for the formal part of the function, acknowledging all who had worked towards the success of the function including Wattle Range Council and the 40 members of the Lions, Rotary and Lioness service clubs in Millicent.
The Corcoran Ward recipient of the 2021 Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award was dedicated Millicent community worker Bruce Clayson and his award was officially presented by Deputy Mayor Moira Neagle.
Mr Clayson has volunteered for such local groups as the RSL, St John Ambulance, Mens Shed, Rendelsham Youth Camp, Pony Club and the SES, served as a foster parent and school mentor and co-founded the annual Pines Enduro off-road race in 1978.
Frazer Johnston, of Millicent, received the Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year Award from Cr Dennis Muhovics for volunteering with the Millicent CFS and for organising the “mullets for mental health” stunt which raised $13,000 for the Black Dog Institute. “We have to rise above the stigma of mental health,” Mr Johnston said.
Mayor Des Noll led the ceremony for 10 new Australian citizens at Beachport while media identity Samela Harris was the guest-of-honour at Penola.
In the lead up to Australia Day, the Mount Gambier Veteran and Vintage Car Club hosted its annual celebration weekend, with vehicles coming from as far away as the Riverland and Crystal Brook, as well as from across Victoria, to take part.
