Glorious weather greeted the Monash community on 26 January for our annual Australia Day celebrations.
A flag raising ceremony was conducted at 10.00 am with the assistance of Victoria Police. Both the Australian and Aboriginal flags were hoisted to the sky on the flag poles outside the Monash Civic Centre in front of the people gathered.
Aunty Pat Ockwell gave a welcome to country, noting the significance of the 26 January date for many indigenous people who view this date as inappropriately celebrating an event which has impacted significantly on them and their culture. While we at the City of Monash recognise the controversy associated with this date, we nonetheless embrace the opportunity presented by a national day to celebrate all of the great things about living in Australia. We are proud to fly both the Australian and Aboriginal flags outside our Civic Centre and in our Council chamber all year round.
We were fortunate to be joined this year by Tori Anderson – one of the official Australia Day ambassadors. Tori presented an inspiring speech about her time helping others overseas and urged everyone to get out of their comfort zone by saying yes more often to opportunities and trying new things. As is often the case with Monash community events, everyone was kept entertained by the wonderful Oakleigh City Band which played a range of Australian themed songs.
Once the formal stuff was out of the way, the speeches gave way to a range of multicultural performances including salsa dancing, indigenous performers and Indian dancers. While these performances were taking place, there were activities of tug of war, cricket, relay races, parachute games and a jumping castle. For the little less adventurous, also on offer were arts and crafts activities including mask making, easel art, badge making and face painting.
In fierce competition with the local Bunnings stores in Monash, Glen Waverley Rotary Club provided a popular sausage sizzle to keep energy levels up throughout the day.
It was also a great privilege to welcome 60 new people as Australian citizens in Monash on Australia Day. I was joined by Cr Paterson, federal MPs Anna Burke and Alan Griffin and state MPs Michael Gidley and Neil Angus to officially confer Australian citizenship on this group from 20 different countries.
I would like to thank everyone who came along to the Monash Australia Day celebrations and in particular recognise and thank the many Monash staff members who worked tirelessly throughout the day despite the heat and the fact they were at work on a Sunday when most of the rest of the country were enjoying some time off and keeping cool.
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