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Celebrate Australia Day In Bass Coast Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Australia Day at locations across Bass Coast Shire on Thursday, 26 January. By Bass Coast - 17th January 2012 - Back to News Events will be held in Wonthaggi, Cowes, Inverloch, Pound Creek, Kernot, Glen Alvie, Corinella, Kernot and Pioneer Bay, giving the community a chance to celebrate life in Australia.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Veronica Dowman, said Australia Day is a time to recognise community leaders as well as welcoming new citizens to the country.
"On Australia Day the community comes together and we are reminded about what it is to be an Australian," said Cr Dowman.
Bass Coast Shire Council will hold citizenship ceremonies as part of the Australia Day celebrations in Cowes and Wonthaggi, to welcome the region’s newest Australian citizens.
"The Wonthaggi event starts at 7.30am with a free breakfast and will culminate in the announcement and presentation of the 2011 Bass Coast Australia Day Awards.
"There will also be a citizenship ceremony, Rotary Awards and an address by Australia Day Ambassador, Maggie Maguire," said Cr Dowman.
Maggie Maguire has as a long background in the arenas of community arts, fundraising, marketing, community building, teaching and hospitality. She is currently the CEO of the Abbotsford Convent Foundation; Australia's landmark arts, culture and learning precinct, housed in the former Abbotsford Convent.
Maggie has been leading the project for over five years and in that time the project has steadily developed to the point where it now welcomes over 11,000 visitors every week.
"The Cowes event starts at 11.30am and includes Council’s Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremonies, Rotary Awards and an address by Australia Day Ambassador Roger Chao, who is a very experienced expeditioner," continued Cr Dowman.
Roger Chao is an accomplished mountaineer, white water kayaker, caver, rock climber, polar expeditioner, back country skier, bike tourer, and hiker. He is also a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and on the executive board of the Explorers Club.
He was also chosen to be a part of the Vice Chancellors Elite Athlete Support Program at Monash University, and awarded a commendation for the Sir John Monash medal.
Details of all the Bass Coast Australia Day celebrations are available on Council’s website www.basscoast.vic.gov.au. For more information, contact Sarah Male on 1300 BCOAST (226 278).
Celebrations in your town
Wonthaggi
Hosted by Rotary Club of Wonthaggi at the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre. Free breakfast from 7.30am. Official proceedings start at 8.30am. Includes the Bass Coast Shire Council Australia Day Awards ceremony, citizenship ceremony, Rotary Awards and address by Australia Day Ambassador Maggie Maguire, CEO Abbotsford Convent Foundation.
Cowes
Hosted by Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo at the Cowes Cultural Centre. Brunch and family activities from 10.30am. Official proceedings start at 11.30am. Includes the Bass Coast Shire Council Australia Day Awards ceremony, citizenship ceremony, Rotary Awards and address by Australia Day Ambassador Roger Chao, expeditioner.
Inverloch
Hosted by Inverloch RSL Sub-Branch at the Inverloch War Memorial. Australia Day service, flag raising ceremony, guest speaker Mrs Jean Melzer OAM and entertainment by U3A and Choir from 11.00am.
Glen Alvie
Hosted by Glen Alvie Recreation Reserve Committee of Management at Glen Alvie Community Centre. Guest speaker, Hans Kamphuis, breakfast and flag raising ceremony at 8.30am, tree planting at 10.00am. Family BBQ and local performers from 6.30pm.
Corinella
Hosted by Corinella Ratepayers and Residents Association at the Corinella Jetty. Free sausage sizzle or BYO picnic, with music and children’s activities from 1.00pm.
Pound Creek
Hosted by Pound Creek Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary at the Pound Creek Fire Station. Entertainment, free BBQ lunch and guest speaker Euan Ferguson (Chief Officer) from 11.00am. BYO drinks, glasses and chairs.
Kernot
Hosted by Kernot Hall and Reserve Committee. Breakfast from 8.00 am and guest speaker, John Amor at 10.00am.
Pioneer Bay
Hosted by the Pioneer Bay Reserve Committee of Management and Progress Association at the Daisy Avenue Reserve. Food, music, games and auction with an all-in cricket match from 12.00 noon. All proceeds go towards the ‘Park Fund’.
For more information contact:
Melissa Hayes
communications officer
t (03) 5671 2703 | f (03) 5671 2222 | m 0400 804 187
e m.hayes@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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