Hundreds of Mount Gambier residents celebrated Australia Day in style in the heart of the CBD.
The crowd filled the Cave Gardens for the Mount Gambier City Council’s Australia Day Breakfast and Citizen of the Year Awards Presentation on Friday.
The event began with breakfast provided by the Lakes Rotary Club of Mount Gambier, with all proceeds donated to Foodbank and local anti-domestic violence programs.
There was plenty of entertainment in the form of local performers Jani Live, Bell Studio of Highland Dance, the Karen Youth Group of Mount Gambier, Yazidi happy boy and the Noh Lah Hay Karenni church group.
Our youngest residents were not forgotten either, with family friendly activities including face painting, a jumping castle, and wildlife demonstrations by Australian Bush Buddies.
The Australian Flag was raised by the 48th Army Cadet Unit Mount Gambier under the command of Corporal James Seeliger, the Australian Anthem was recited by Ms Live and Vanda and Manpreet Singh won the best dressed Australian theme award.
In attendance were local dignitaries Ben Hood MLC, Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell and Mount Gambier City Council’s chief executive Sarah Philpott.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM formally acknowledged the council’s 2024 awardees, with recognition given to several high-profile community members and events.
Citizen of the Year was awarded to Richard Harry, Senior Citizen of the Year was presented to Kevin Douglas, Luke Thomson was named Young Citizen of the Year, the Community Event of the Year was the Mount Gambier Community Christmas Lunch and the Active Citizenship Award was given to Julian Mattay.
Mayor Martin said she was “absolutely thrilled” by the number of people who attended the event.
“I think it was such a happy event and an inclusive event with all the different cultures, it was wonderful to have them participate in our Australia Day breakfast and to be able to recognise our citizens of the year for the roles they play,” she said.
“It was an absolute thrill for me to be able to present awards to these unsung heroes in our community.”
The event was interpreted on stage in Auslan, the language of the Australian deaf community and accessible matting was laid on the lawn, allowing better wheelchair access for attendees.
