A SEA of blue, red and white filled the Mount Gambier Railway Lands on Friday as citizens young and old came together to celebrate the great country they call home.
Waving the Australian flag and singing the national anthem with pride, hundreds of locals took the time to reflect on what it means to be Australian and congratulate those who have made a significant impact on the Mount Gambier community as recipients of the Australia Day awards.
Welcoming the crowd to the special occasion, Member for Barker Tony Pasin said Australia Day was a chance to reflect on what it is like to be part of this great nation.
“Every Australian from our first Australians to the newest born citizens and everyone in between should be proud to be a part of this great nation,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to take the time to give thanks to all for the many cultures of people who have helped to build the magnificent way of life we enjoy in Australia.
“January 26 is a day to unite us, not divide us – it is a day to reflect on our history, not to turn our back on it.”
Witnessing the many generous contributions made to the community by dedicated locals, Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said being Australian is all about coming together and supporting each other when in need.
“Over the last four years as the local member I have seen many people in our community do just this, including all of the recipients of the Australia Day awards, many in the audience today and those in service groups,” he said.
“To me that is what being a citizen of this great country is all about and it is what makes this community so special.”
Thanking everyone for coming together for the annual Australia Day event in the Blue Lake city, Mayor Andrew Lee proudly announced the Australia Day award recipients.
“The 2018 Australia Day awards recognise three extraordinary Mount Gambier leaders, along with a team of volunteers involved in bringing the very worthy community event of the year to fruition,” he said.
Local residents Lois Bayre and Peter Martin were presented with the citizen of the year award, Laura Small with the young citizen of the year award and the Mount Gambier History Group with the community event of the year award for the recent Fidler and Webb exhibition.
Hosting highly successful Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea events in the city over the past 19 years, Ms Bayre was acknowledged for raising over $100,000 for Cancer Council SA, Mr Martin for his continuous contribution to the community, his giving nature and tireless efforts to help others and Ms Small for her musical contribution as a performer, teacher and mentor.
“I am very grateful and very overwhelmed,” Ms Bayre said.
“I would like to thank my family and friends for the support they have given me with organising Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
“We have a great band of volunteers who work really well together, but the best part is we are raising money for cancer research and detection.”
Surprised to receive such an important award, Ms Small said she was thankful to be part of such a supportive community.
“In the five years that I have lived here I have found helping people is infectious, it is easy to prop people up when you have so many people doing the same for you,” she said.
“This community is vibrant and full of opportunities for people of all ages.
“Thank you to every single person who has propped me up on my journey, I feel that rather than me receiving this award, it is a combination of all the people I know that have helped me get to this point in my life.”
Local community icons Lynette Martin OAM and Beth Serle OAM were also recognised for their contribution to Mount Gambier as recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Features on the award winners were printed throughout last week’s editions and are available online at borderwatch.com.au
