Published on Thursday, 30 January 2020 at 2:07:51 PM
The forecast for Australia Day 2020 was one of a typical Australian January day, with the forecast set as “hot” – and it certainly did not disappoint by the end of proceedings; but many enjoyed a pleasantly cooler start to the festivities at Clune Park where our councillors had the barbeque in full swing as community members began to arrive for breakfast.
Members of BEAT (the Bindoon Entertainment, Arts and Theatre) – Barni Norton and David McSweeny - were on site and entertained the crowd throughout the morning with a selection of Australian themed songs until the official proceedings commenced.
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY
With a record numbers in attendance, the Shire’s CEO – Mr Matthew Gilfellon - opened proceedings at 10am and conducted an Acknowledgement to Country and the Yued People of the region and welcomed the Shire’s honorary Freeman, Mr Lee Martin.
Following this Shire President, Cr Donald Gibson, stepped forward to read some bush poetry and undertake his opening address before the proceedings commenced to conduct the Citizenship Ceremony.
The community had the privilege of welcoming a record 22 new citizens to our Shire and by extension, to Australia. Congratulations to the following on officially becoming citizens of Australia:
- Piet Berkers
- Alexandra Brady
- Stewart Brisbane
- Bryce & Joshua Ellison
- Kay & Oliver Kavanagh
- Jaimi Piper
- Michael, Mylanie & Syesha Ruz
- Dorothy & Ian Todd
- John & Michele Walker
- Neil, Julie, Michael & Rebekka Woodland
- Shiwei Xing
- Shan Zhao & Lucy Carr
Our new citizens, together with the community, then stood to undertake the Australian Affirmation Ceremony which was followed by everyone joining in to sing the National Anthem – Advance Australia Fair.
Matthew then concluded the first half of the proceedings.
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
2020 EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Cr Mary Angus, was then welcomed by Matthew to present the 2020 Education Scholarships.
Where Cr Angus announced that the winner of the 2020 Year 6 Education Scholarship was Jonas Thomas and the winner of the 2020 Year 10 Education Scholarship was Madeleine Dickerson.
SCHOOL CITIZENSHIP AWARDS
Councillors Kylie Hughes and John Curtis were then invited forwards to present the 2019 School Citizenship Awards.
The 2019 School Citizenship Award winner, from Bindoon Primary School, was Jade Hills;
The 2019 School Citizenship Award winner, from Edmund Rice College, was Riley Keating; and
The 2019 School Citizenship Award winner, from Immaculate Heart College, was Jessica Harry.
The proceedings then moved on to present the 2020 Australia Day WA Community Citizen Awards where a large number of nominees had been received this year which is indicative of the great number of people involved with and striving to better our community.
SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Cr Peter Osborn came to the stage and presented SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Nominees: Fred Hoogland and Ruth Adamson
Recipient: Joan Bathgate
ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR A COMMUNITY GROUP OR EVENT
Cr Carmel Ross presented the next category
Nominee & Recipient: Bindoon & Districts Agricultural Society
YOUTH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Our Deputy Shire President, Cr John Davis, then presented the YOUTH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Nominees: Ellise Donaldson, Kieran Day, Zane Houston, Harmarnie Barker, Kendra Venn and Olvia Sangalli
Recipient: Logan Wrathall
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Shire President, Cr Donald Gibson, then presented the
Nominees: Lisa Kay, Robert Hawes and John Nagel
Recipient: Robert Anspach
Congratulations to all of the nominees and recipients. It certainly was inspiring to hear of so many people in our community, making it such a better place.
Official proceedings then concluded with the cutting of the commemorative cake, by the Citizen of the Year, Mr Robert Anspach.
Both Shire President, Cr Donald Gibson and Shire CEO, Matthew Gilfellon, thanked the community for attending and also the large number of people who contributed to the setup, pack up and running of the event.
This event would not have been made possible without the Chittering Resident & Ratepayers Association, BEAT, Bindoon Bakehaus, Bindoon IGA and Northern Valley Quality Meats, Shire staff and Councillors and many others. We all appreciate your contribution to this event which would not have been a success otherwise.
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