KERANG marked our national day with people gathering in Atkinson Park listening to Australia Day ambasador and sporting identity Stan Alves and welcoming 12 Gannawarra Shire residents as new Australian citizens.
“He spoke exceptionally well. He’s been one of the best ambassadors we’ve had in Kerang,” Greg Gin of Kerang Lions Club said of Mr Alves.
Mr Alves is best known for his association with football, having been a long-term player for Melbourne, and premiership team member at North Melbourne, as well as leading St Kilda to a grand final as coach.
“He is just passionate about being Australian and wants everyone to be proud to be Australian,” Mr Gin said of the theme of Mr Alve’s speech.
Kerang Lions Club was responsible for organising the event, with Kerang Rotary focussing on preparing the Australia Day breakfast.
During the Australia Day ceremony the adults set to become Australian citizens carried the national flag to the flag pole.
“To me that makes it more poignant, more special, that they were carrying the flag in preparation for becoming Australian citizens,” Mr Gin enthused.
New citizens were installed and presented with certificates by Gannawarra Shire mayor Lorraine Learmonth.
Kerang local Brett Condely sang the national anthem during the Australia Day ceremony and led people in a concluding rendition of I am Australian.
