. . . in every sense
BREAKFAST for more than 400 people was served in record time by Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire councillors, their spouses, Apex members and a number of other volunteers on Australia Day.
The weather was kind, with just a gentle breeze blowing across the showgrounds as people of all ages enjoyed their breakfasts to Australian music played by Campbell and Friends.
Shire president Brian Moore welcomed all the guests, including people from Sweden, Japan and Thailand.
He then thanked the volunteers for working so hard from early morning to produce the breakfast and shire staff who had worked hard (many in their own time) to ensure the event ran smoothly.
“Australia Day is a day to celebrate what’s great about our country,” Cr Moore said.
“It’s a day for Australians to recommit to making Australia an even better place for the generations to come, to relax, to debate, to think about our nation — its people, our land, our diversity, our freedom and our
democracy.
“This year the Government of Australia has designated 2010 as the Year of the Girl Guide.
“For 100 years the guiding movement has supported Australian girls to grow into confident and inspiring young women.
“The Government acknowledges the invaluable contribution of Girl Guides Australia and will support the centenary through a range of initiatives.
“At the local level, the Bridgetown Girl Guides have a membership of 20 girls whose ages range from six to 12 years.
“Girl Guides undertake community work such as participating in the Clean-up Australia Day; providing and serving morning teas for organisations; singing Christmas carols at Geegeelup Village, just to name a few.
“During 2009 their sewing project, which involved making bags and bookmarks, resulted in the Guides raising $700 through sales at the Bridgetown Show which in turn will go towards their equipment
purchases.”
Ms Leonie Eastcott of the Greenbushes Rate-payers and Residents Association, which won the 2009 Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award, raised the Australian flag while the national anthem was played on the bagpipes by Liam, Jack and Ross Campbell.
Bridgetown’s newest citizen, Jamie Davies, who made the pledge of commitment, was congratulated by Cr Moore on becoming an Australian citizen. “The decision to become an Australian citizen is a major one,” Cr Moore said.
“Like other major life decisions, it is an event which involves commitment, responsibility, public recognition, celebration of the present and hopes for a common future.
“These are the themes of participation and inclusion — the essence of Australian citizenship.
“Our ceremony today recognises that citizenship is a common bond made meaningful because it embraces an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of all peoples.”
Willing workers honoured
ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
THE winner of the 2010 Premier’s Australia Day active citizenship award, Dr Chris Shedley, had been a driving force in the Bridgetown community since 1979, Shire President Brian Moore said.
He had been a volunteer in many local groups including Rotary, Bridgetown Repertory Club, Bridgetown Lawn Tennis Club and Bridgetown High School where he helped student to understand sustainability as well as the career opportunities, Cr Moore said.“He also promotes the high school activities around town to help gain support from local businesses and traders.
“His numerous endeavours over three decades are evidence of him being a most deserving recipient of the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award.”
ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
PERSON UNDER 25
THE Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a Person under-25 years went to Gabriel Evans who, as an 18-year-old, graduated from TAFE in 2008 with a diploma in visual arts and crafts.
Mr Evans has won several art awards including gold in the Australia-Britain Society’s Art Idol, “He was involved in the Art Idol Road Show 2008, exhibiting his new work in several Perth galleries,” Cr Moore said,
Over the years Gabriel worked for Save the Children, church fund-raising events, baking for stalls, selling raffle tickets, helping with the Anglican ball and assisting with regular garage sales as well as occasionally playing the piano at the Yornup Family Dances.
“He has also been a keen member of the Bridgetown Repertory Theatre, helping with scenery painting, backstage and acting in a number of productions.
“Gabriel is always offering community members his assistance and is forever trying to encourage others by sharing his artistic talen,” the shire president said.
ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
COMMUNITY GROUP OR EVENT
THE Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a community group or event went to the Bridgetown Apex Club which has been actively involved in the shire’s Australia Day “Aussie breakfast” for many years.
“In 2009 in the wake of the January Bridgetown Fires, the Apex Club approached the shire with the idea of coordinating and being responsible for getting all the service groups together to help with removal and replacement of ruined fencing, clean-up of fire damaged properties, transportation of livestock to agistment properties and in addition undertook many other tasks
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