AUSTRALIA Day is a time to revitalise our commitment to our community and to ask ourselves how we can maximise our potential, according to ambassador, Dr Bernard Jenner.
The Geelong-based community paediatrician joined more than 200 people at Cohuna’s Australia Day celebrations.
Garden Park was a sea of blue and red as residents proudly waved flags and reaffirmed their loyalty to Australia, 228 years since the founding of the colony of New South Wales.
The Lions Club of Cohuna provided a barbecue breakfast of bacon and eggs whilst other Lions members organised the ceremony, which focused on the important role residents play in keeping our community vibrant.
Cohuna Scouts raised the flag and the Young at Hearts singers performed the national anthem.
Dr Jenner reaffirmed his own loyalty to Australia – its people, democratic beliefs, rights and liberties.
The 2007 Australian of the Year Regional Victoria Local Hero said the award enhanced the importance of this day and how lucky we are to live in Australia.
“Your diverse agriculture, tourism, primary industry, business and manufacturing have encapsulated truly the best of Australia, past, present and the future, in every sense,” he said.
“So much to celebrate and look forward to here, in fact legend has it that John Farnham was even discovered here, this place is ‘fair dinkum’ Aussie.”
Dr Jenner is the founder of Gateways Support Services, which helps families deal with a family member having a disability, and Hope Bereavement Care, a program for family members grieving the death of a child.
He also established a program of home dinners and billets for young Geelong AFL players displaced by the draft.
Dr Jenner said we celebrate the day through a period of much hardship; from devastating, prolonged droughts to the recent fire disasters.
“The Australian spirit is epitomised by strangers in gumboots; the bucket and broom brigade. We are a resilient mob,” he said.
Dr Jenner said being an ambassador holds personal significance.
“My father was a refugee orphan survivor of the horror, discriminative experiences of a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust,” he said.
“I have been given the opportunity to visit many Australian communities to reflect on our core values of mateship, a fair go, respect, hard work, having a go and appreciate how lucky we are to use our imagination if we wish to follow the great Australian dream.”
Dr Jenner said we must embrace differences and that communities depend on the actions of good citizens.
“Volunteering is the real foundation of our Aussie spirit,” he said.
“An inclusive culture enhances a safe democratic culture. The opposite causes harm and marginalises people and groups which leads to suspicion and misunderstanding, depression, suicide, illicit drugs, criminal behaviour and radicalisation.”
Gannawarra Shire Council Community Group of the Year, Cohuna Cubby House Quilters officially received their award from mayor, Cr Lorraine Learmonth.
The group is regarded for its annual craft weekend and donations to charities, including the Cohuna Challenge Camp and Rotary Club of Kerang Alternative Schoolies trip.
“We are very proud to receive this award on behalf of all members. We are a mixed bag of ladies who stitch together, throw around ideas, support one another and have fun,” member, Pam Carmody said.
“We are honoured and pleased to be able to help our community through a hobby that we all love. Happy to say we got stitched up.”
The Cohuna and District Historical Society was named the Lions Club of Cohuna Citizen of the Year.
Formed in April, 1970, the society’s volunteer members operate a museum, archives centre and a trash and treasure business and has published more than 10 books, journals and articles.
“It’s a great opportunity to share all of our stories and take pride of achievements within the community,” Cr Learmonth said.
